ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Crop Spraying

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has to ensure that there is adequate advance notice and on-site warning of crop-spraying adjacent to public footpaths.

Alun Michael: As I confirmed in my announcement on 16 June, a pilot study will be set up to explore how residents living next to farms and those using footpaths through fields can be told of pesticide use.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Essential Medicines

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions his Department has had internationally on increasing access to essential medicine in the developing world.

Hilary Benn: The lack of access to essential medicines in the developing world is one of the most pressing global health issues. Tackling this could save millions of lives a year.
	The UK Government is committed to significantly improving access to essential medicines in developing countries. The factors recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that can improve poor people's access to medicines are: affordable pricing, sustainable financing, reliable health and supply systems, and the rational selection and use of essential drugs. Research and development for new products is also critical, particularly if access is to be sustained over the longer term.
	The Prime Minister established a high level UK Working Group on Increasing Access to Essential Medicines in the Developing World in 2001, chaired by Clare Short. There were representatives on the Group from developing countries, pharmaceutical companies, charitable foundations, the European Union (EU), WHO, DFID and other UK Government departments. The Group reported to the Prime Minister in late 2002 with recommendations focusing on widespread differential pricing of medicines for developing countries and increased research and development to meet the health needs of poor people in those countries. Seven Government departments have been working together to take forward these recommendations and related areas of activity.
	The recently issued paper Increasing access to essential medicines in the developing world: UK Government policy and plans' sets out progress so far. It also outlines next steps in four areas:
	Support to developing countries through the UK development assistance programme, with a focus on increasing poor people's access to health services;
	Trade policy, focusing on supporting developing countries in understanding and making use of the flexibilities within World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules governing intellectual property;
	Engagement with the business community, focusing on work with the pharmaceutical industry, to address the long term supply of affordable medicines to developing countries;
	Efforts—in the UK and internationally—to stimulate increased research and development into new medicines and other healthcare products relevant to developing country needs.
	The UK Government is in regular dialogue with pharmaceutical companies—in particular the British and American Pharmaceutical Groups—their investors, non-governmental organisations, international agencies and donors, research institutions, and of course governments and other stakeholders in developing countries. In addition, written comments were solicited from a broad range of stakeholders on the consultation draft of the recent policy paper.
	The UK Government also discusses access to medicines internationally. Highlights from the past year—in which the UK played an active part—include:
	Commitments made by the G8 in Evian last year to strengthen the framework for differential pricing of medicines and increased research and development, and an additional commitment made in Sea Island this year to establish a global HIV vaccine enterprise;
	Agreement of an EU Regulation to try and prevent diversion of affordably priced medicines away from developing countries and into the EU;
	The establishment by the World Health Assembly of a WHO Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Public Health (due to report in 2006);
	The Decision last August by the WTO General Council on mechanisms to allow countries with no or insufficient pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to import generic copies of patented essential medicines, in order to meet their public health needs.

India

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the implications of the spread of AIDS in India.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: India has a total population of 1.07 billion people, of which half are in the 15 to 49 year old age group. Data from the most recent HIV surveillance exercise undertaken by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has just been released. It is considered the most reliable of various data sources, and estimates that 5.1 million people were infected with HIV at the end of 2003. This represents an HIV prevalence rate in the adult population of 0.9 per cent. India therefore remains a low prevalence country. Of the estimated 5.1 million cases, 59 per cent. are rural, while 41 per cent. are urban. Women account for 36 per cent. of infections. Six high prevalence states account for over 84 per cent. of the AIDS cases reported in India since the beginning of the epidemic. These are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the two North-Eastern States of Nagaland and Manipur.
	The recent surveillance data highlights the following:
	There is a fall in the rate of growth of HIV infections in India.
	No moderate or low prevalence state has moved into a higher category.
	Early signs of stabilisation of HIV infections in the high prevalence states.
	This is encouraging, but challenges remain. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in India is still considered to be "concentrated", with injecting drug users, commercial sex workers and men who have sex with men recording much higher HIV infection rates than the general population. However, NACO is aware of the risk of the epidemic moving into the general population.
	In 2001, DFID India committed support of £123 million to the Government of India's National AIDS Control Programme, to be disbursed over five years. The main aim of the programme is to reach out to the communities at high risk (sex workers, men having sex with men, injectable drug users etc.) with innovative programmes to contain the spread of the disease. Targeted interventions are specifically designed to reach out to these hard to reach vulnerable groups where the prevalence of disease is highest.
	The programme also includes support to the BBC World Service Trust for media campaigns to raise awareness in the general public. In addition, DFID supports the UN theme group coordinated by UNAIDS to strengthen its role in prevention of HIV/AIDS in India. UNAIDS benefits from DFID support to strengthen its capacity as secretariat for all United Nations HIV initiatives in India.

Reproductive Health

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress the Government have made towards meeting the Millennium Development Goal on reproductive health by 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: While there is not a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for reproductive health, we remain firmly committed to the target agreed at the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development of achieving access to reproductive health for all by 2015. DFID believes that population and reproductive health issues are fundamental to efforts to tackle poverty and achieve the MDGs. Reproductive health especially embraces three health related MDGs—those to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and to combat and prevent HIV/AIDS as well as tackling income poverty and gender inequality. Without progress in improving access to reproductive health it is unlikely that these MDGs will be met.
	There is much progress since 1994 to celebrate—countries have turned ICPD commitments into policies and action, increased access to a range of family planning options, and in some countries cut maternal deaths. But still too many poor women, men and young people in developing countries are denied their right to sexual and reproductive health. 120 million couples do not have access to the family planning services and contraception they need. Every year, 529,000 women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth and three million children die in the first week of life. Millions live with HIV and sexually transmitted bacterial infections that are mainly preventable.
	On Tuesday 6 June, the Secretary of State launched DFID's Position Paper on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. It describes progress to date and sets out what remains to be done. It will form the basis for planning our future investment and activities and our work with partners. The same day the Secretary of State announced increased funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UK will be providing £80 million over four years (2004–07) in core funding to UNFPA to support its work on sexual and reproductive health and rights, population and development, and gender. UNFPA's work is also a critical part of HIV/AIDS prevention efforts within the framework of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

TREASURY

Blind and Partially Sighted People

David Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of blind and partially sighted people of working age were in employment in each of the last six years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. David Stewart, dated 13 July 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the percentage of blind and partially sighted people of working age in employment in each of the last six years. I am replying in his absence. (182536)
	The attached table gives the available information from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) relating to people identified in the survey as "partially sighted" who have difficulty in seeing even while wearing spectacles or contact lenses. Information separately identifying blind people is not available.
	As with any statistical sample survey, estimates for the LFS are subject to sampling variability.
	
		Employment rates for partially-sighted people of working age(1)—United Kingdom—three months ending in February each year from 1999 to 2004
		
			  Per cent 
		
		
			 1999 36 
			 2000 39 
			 2001 37 
			 2002 35 
			 2003 38 
			 2004 38 
		
	
	(1) Working age refers to men aged 16 to 64 or women aged to 16 to 59.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the public service agreements contain, for all departments, targets for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions; and if he will make a statement, with particular reference to the Department for Transport.

Paul Boateng: It would not be appropriate for all departments to have targets relating to carbon dioxide emissions.
	The Department for Transport, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Trade and Industry share responsibility for delivering the PSA target on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide emissions.
	Details of all PSA targets can be found in the 2004 Spending Review PSA White Paper, published on 12 July 2004.

ECOFIN

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 5 July; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: The Council took note of the presentation by the Presidency of its work programme on economic and financial affairs for the second half of 2004. Five priorities were identified in the work programme: reduction of the administrative burden on companies; progress with work on the EU's financial perspective for the 2007–13 period; combating terrorism, and specifically the financing of terrorism; financial services; and taxation. The work programme was approved.
	ECOFIN adopted opinions on the Convergence Programmes of the new member states, and excessive deficit recommendations on Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia. Given the different starting points and different budgetary plans of the member states concerned, the Recommendations set different target dates for bringing their deficits below 3 per cent. of GDP: 2005 for Cyprus, 2006 for Malta, 2007 for Poland and Slovakia and 2008 for the Czech Republic and Hungary.
	ECOFIN adopted a decision on the existence of an excessive deficit in Greece, and a recommendation on action to be taken to correct it. In its Recommendation, the Council called on Greece to put an end to the excessive deficit situation by 2005 at the latest, requiring action to be taken to this end by 5 November 2004, and to ensure that budgetary consolidation towards a medium-term position of close to balance or in surplus is sustained. Greece accepted the recommendation.
	The Italian budgetary position was discussed. ECOFIN welcomed the Italian government's commitments to improve the position and, in light of those commitments, the Council considered that Italy had responded to the concerns expressed in the Commission's 28 April 2004 recommendation to issue an Early Warning in order to prevent the occurrence of an excessive deficit. The Council will continue to monitor the budgetary position, in particular debt dynamics and the plans for 2005. The Council conclusions were approved unanimously.
	The EU-Terrorism Co-ordinator, Gijs de Vries, presented the financial aspects of on-going work in the fight against terrorism, emphasising ECOFIN's role. The UK welcomed the emphasis on effective implementation and the Dutch Presidency's intent to make fighting terrorism a priority.
	The Commission outlined developments within its Accounting Regulatory Committee (ARC) on the introduction into EU law of revised International Accounting Standards (IAS) and in particular IAS 39. The Council called on the Commission to continue work on the standards with a view to making progress on the remaining problems within the timeframe allowed for by the endorsement procedure. The Presidency concluded that the ARC should consider the issues and report back to ECOFIN.

Fuel Duty

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake (a) not to increase taxes on petrol for the lifetime of this Parliament and (b) to scrap plans to increase petrol tax this autumn.

John Healey: Decisions on duty rates are taken by the Chancellor after consideration of all relevant social, economic and environmental factors. As the Chancellor announced at the 3 June OPEC meeting, we will review progress and will make a judgment on the planned duty change due on 1 September.

Lloyd's Immunity

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to remove immunity from prosecution for negligence and misrepresentations from Lloyd's; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Lloyd's Acts 1871 to 1982 provide the constitution of the Society of Lloyd's. Section 14 of the Lloyd's Act 1982 exempts the society from liability in damages to members of the Lloyd's community in certain circumstances. The immunity only applies to liability incurred in the exercise of or omission to exercise a statutory function or power ie those aspects of the society's functions that it is required to exercise to organise the Lloyd's market. The immunity does not extend to acts which are either done in bad faith or which do not involve the exercise of discretion.
	The Government have no plans to change this position.

Tax Credits

Alan Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families are estimated to have received working tax credit overpayments in 2003–04; what the estimated average working tax credit overpayment is per family in 2003–04; and what the overall estimated (a) overpayment and (b) debt was in 2003–04.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn) on 22 March 2004, Official Report, column 663–64W.

Voting Age

Brian Cotter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many 16 and 17-year-olds live in the Weston-super-Mare constituency.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Brian Cotter, dated 13 July 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many 16 and 17 year olds live in the Weston-Super-Mare constituency. I am replying in his absence. (183917)
	Figures from the "Census 2001 Report for Parliamentary Constituencies" indicate that on Census day (29 April 2001) there were 2,308 people aged 16–17 living in Weston-Super-Mare parliamentary constituency.
	The information below has been extracted from the CD supplement to the "Census 2001 Report for Parliamentary Constituencies", which is available in the House of Commons Library.
	
		
			 Area All people People aged 16–17 
		
		
			 Weston-Super-Mare 97,105 2,308 
		
	
	Source :
	Table KS02 Census 2001 Report for Parliamentary Constituencies.

Unemployment (Warrington)

Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of unemployment in Warrington was in each year since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Ms Helen Jones, dated 13 July 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the level of unemployment in Warrington in each year since 1997. I am replying in his absence. (182772)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	The attached Table 1, gives the estimates available of the number of unemployed people resident in the Warrington unitary authority, for the twelve months ending in February for each year from 1997 to 2003.
	As with any statistical sample survey, estimates for the LFS are subject to sampling variability. The fall between 1998 and 1999 shown in the table is within the limits of sampling variation.
	ONS also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for local areas including parliamentary constituencies. The attached Table 2, gives the annual averages number of JSA claimants who are resident in the Warrington unitary authority for each year since 1997.
	
		Table 1: Unemployment(2) in the Warrington unitary authority
		
			 12 months ending February Thousand 
		
		
			 1997 5 
			 1998(3) 4 
			 1999(3) 2 
			 2000 4 
			 2001 3 
			 2002 4 
			 2003 4 
		
	
	(2) Unemployed residents of the Warrington UA.
	(3) Figures not yet adjusted to take account of 2001 Census data.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey Local Area Datasets
	
		Table 2: JSA claimants resident in the Warrington unitary authority area
		
			  Annual averages 
		
		
			 1997 3,679 
			 1998 3,083 
			 1999 2,999 
			 2000 2,750 
			 2001 2,431 
			 2002 2,377 
			 2003 2,279 
		
	
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus administrative system.

TRANSPORT

Drivers' Hours Regulations (HGVs)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers of heavy goods vehicles were found to be breaking the drivers' hours regulations in 2002–03; how many were prosecuted; and what penalties were imposed.

David Jamieson: Enforcement of the drivers' hours regulations in Great Britain is carried out by the police and by the Department's Vehicle and Operators Service Agency (VOSA). Statistics are only available for the work done by VOSA:
	
		2002–03
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Drivers checked 106,587 
			 Prohibitions issued 4,999 
			 Total offences reported for prosecution(4) 10,353 
			 Number of drivers reported for prosecution(4) 2,278 
			 Average fine per offence £120 
		
	
	(4) Minor offences are dealt with by way of warning and advice and are not recorded.

Empty Houses

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for how many empty houses his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Highways Agency, an agency of the Department for Transport, currently holds 105 empty residential properties.

Highways Agency

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total value was of (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by the Highways Agency in each year since 2001.

David Jamieson: The Highways Agency spent:
	
		£000
		
			  (a) Technical and financial (b) Technical consultants (c) Financial consultants 
		
		
			 2001–02 91,319 88,437 2,882 
			 2002–03 171,739 165,056 6,683 
			 2003–04 220,194 215,269 4,925

Ministerial Speeches

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the speeches made by Ministers with responsibility for transport issues to external organisations since 1 June 2003.

Tony McNulty: Transport Ministers have undertaken a very wide range of speaking engagements since 1 June 2003. Key speeches are listed on the Department for Transport website at www.dft.gov.uk, in the Ministerial section of "About DfT".

Road Traffic

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department recommends that county councils issuing consultation documents for road improvements should include traffic projection figures.

David Jamieson: It is for local highway authorities to determine the information included in consultation documents on any road improvements that they are promoting. My Department would expect this to include such information needed for consultees to reach an informed understanding of the scheme.

Speed Cameras

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what common speed thresholds for penalties and prosecutions speed camera partnerships apply.

David Jamieson: Enforcement thresholds are a matter for individual chief police officers. Guidelines established by the Association of Chief Police Officers is not to enforce below 10 per cent. plus 2 mph over the posted speed limit.

Speed Cameras

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned on the effects of high levels of speed enforcement.

David Jamieson: The independent review of the first three years' operation of the national safety camera programme, carried out by University College London and PA Consulting Group and published on 15 June, concluded that the number of people killed or seriously injured at camera sites had been reduced by 40 per cent., over and above the UK's general downward trend in road casualties. The report is available in the Library and on the Department's website.
	The Department will also start research this year to assess the potential benefits of other speed enforcement measures such as vehicle-activated signs and in-car information on speed limits.

Transport Strategy (South Coast)

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what priority is being given to the south coast corridor in his draft Transport Strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Once the Government's current review of the 10 Year Plan for Transport is complete we will publish a new transport strategy. A range of work has continued on the south coast corridor since the publication of the South Coast Multi Modal Study.

Trust Ports

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the capital value is of each trust port which is defined as a public corporation.

David Jamieson: The latest published accounts we have received from the major ports defined as public corporations show on the balance sheets that the net worth of each port is as follows:
	
		£ million
		
			 Port Net worth 
		
		
			 Port of London (at 31 December 2003) 48.3 
			 Dover (at 31 December 2003) 124.8 
			 Milford Haven (at 31 December 2002) 31.9 
			 Poole (at 31 March 2003) 11.8 
			 Tyne (at 31 December 2002) 47.6 
			 Harwich Haven (at 31 December 2003) 33.8

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Animal Experiments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 1 July 2004, Official Report, column 388W, on animal experiments, when the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research will take over the budget hitherto allocated to the Centre for Best Practice for Animals in Research (CBPAR); when the double funding promised by the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council will be transferred to the National Centre; when the Animal Procedures Committee will transfer its funding to the National Centre; when the National Centre will fully take over the functions of the CPBAR; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The Centre for Best Practice for Animals in research (CBPAR), which already carries out many of the functions of the national centre, will continue to operate until September when it will be replaced by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3RS). The funding committed by the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council will be transferred to NC3RS at that time. The budget for research into the 3Rs currently administered by the Animal Procedures Committee will be transferred by the Home Office to the Centre once its current commitments have been honoured. The Home Office is currently considering the timing and arrangements for the transfer.

China

Denzil Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria formed the basis of the EU's recent decision that China is not a market economy.

Mike O'Brien: The EU's decision was taken exclusively in the context of trade defence investigations, looking at the reliability of costs and prices of Chinese companies. Within this framework, China did not meet four criteria, namely state influence in company affairs, corporate governance particularly compliance with accounting law, equal treatment of all companies under property and bankruptcy law and the independence of the financial sector. China did, however, meet the criterion of absence of compensation systems and the absence of state induced distortions in connection with privatisation.

Fur Imports

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much fur, broken down by species, was imported into the UK in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: According to statistics published by HM Customs and Excise, information on UK imports of raw furskins, tanned or dressed furskins and articles of furskin are given in the following three tables. A key to the system of classification used in compiling these statistics is given in a fourth table.
	The Government welcome their continuing dialogue and constructive relationship with both interested animal welfare groups and relevant trade associations.
	
		Table 1: UK imports of furskins, raw (including heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings, suitable for furriers' use) -- £000 (current prices)
		
			 Code 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 43011000 12,265 9,109 13,011 15,138 8,300 4,634 5,189 5,072 3,559 4,156 
			 43012000 5 — 601 — 4 30 1 — — — 
			 43013000 14 62 110 47 97 77 7 46 111 0 
			 43014000 — 1 7 3 3 5 3 0 — — 
			 43015000 112 229 421 357 8 155 172 15 — — 
			 43016000 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 623 
			 43017090 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— — 
			 43018010 29 11 2,483 — — — — — — 78 
			 43018030 — 4 — — — — 46 — 33 — 
			 43018050 — 6 1 0 2 — — 106 390 631 
			 43018090 1,382 791 3,181 1,650 795 733 647 1,393 — — 
			 43018095 — — — — — — — — 1,615 867 
			 43019000 — 39 237 339 29 110 357 34 59 33 
			 Total suppressed 8,645 10,039 8,150 3,299 2,600 1,182 1,218 1,929 944 — 
			 Total 22,452 20,291 28,201 20,832 11,838 6,927 7,638 8,595 6,712 6,388 
		
	
	(5) Indicates values that are suppressed for reasons of commercial confidentiality; the total of suppressed values are shown under "Total suppressed".
	Notes:
	1. A zero value indicates imports of less than £500.
	2. Blanks indicate no imports.
	
		Table 2: UK imports of furskins, tanned or dressed (including heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings), unassembled, or assembled (without the addition of other materials) -- £000 (current prices)
		
			 Code 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 43021100 5,634 9,220 23,031 25,165 17,200 7,390 8,575 10,614 10,045 8,924 
			 43021200 3 19 13 76 72 7 128 213 — — 
			 43021300 1,125 1,482 1,173 818 283 242 357 449 475 682 
			 43021910 34 21 33 18 3 24 1 1 3 24 
			 43021920 149 284 173 43 35 15 2 4 — 18 
			 43021930 2,253 3,066 3,827 1,622 864 459 540 493 1,091 1,175 
			 43021935 — — — — — — — — 289 65 
			 43021941 — — — — — — — 9 — — 
			 43021949 — 21 7 91 41 42 42 68 49 70 
			 43021950 188 138 524 233 164 7 34 17 42 48 
			 43021960 9 57 171 83 — 84 0 4 0 0 
			 43021970 25 26 0 26 50 44 101 382 192 266 
			 43021980 2,601 2,254 2,153 1,932 1,260 1,139 1,871 3,359 6,099 4,893 
			 43021995 3,675 3,431 4,375 3,567 2,459 1,993 3,130 2,787 3,592 4,023 
			 43022000 162 43 36 24 21 77 42 62 59 23 
			 43023010 2 1 — 0 5 — 106 2 — 6 
			 43023021 440 276 183 378 206 30 62 144 171 68 
			 43023025 28 10 1 41 3 58 105 101 57 90 
			 43023031 227 106 202 540 527 597 907 465 553 457 
			 43023035 6 — 0 2 — — — — 2 — 
			 43023041 211 357 479 431 182 18 34 34 21 9 
			 43023045 122 12 2 — 0 7 35 52 203 321 
			 43023055 — — — — — — — — 22 24 
			 43023061 58 80 68 40 9 — — — 9 31 
			 43023065 79 216 822 1,184 209 283 — — — 19 
			 43023071 — 1 0 147 205 149 135 189 68 164 
			 43023075 2,645 2,429 5,578 6,196 2,755 1,928 2,958 2,300 1,390 1,172 
			 Total 19,740 23,550 42,849 42,657 26,553 14,591 19,165 21,747 24,413 22,571 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A zero value indicates imports of less than £500.
	2. Blanks indicate no imports.
	
		Table 3: UK imports of articles of furskin -- £000 (current prices)
		
			  Code 
			  43031010 43031090 43039000 Total 
		
		
			 1994 — 3,900 474 4,374 
			 1995 — 2,603 742 3,345 
			 1996 — 2,871 1,216 4,088 
			 1997 — 2,379 2,884 5,262 
			 1998 7 1,993 2,184 4,184 
			 1999 2 3,071 1,866 4,939 
			 2000 2 3,127 2,282 5,412 
			 2001 27 3,634 2,562 6,223 
			 2002 3 5,395 3,934 9,332 
			 2003 1 7,606 4,409 12,015 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A zero value indicates imports of less than £500.
	2. Blanks indicate no imports.
	
		Table 4: Commodity codes of the harmonised system
		
			 Code Description 
		
		
			 43011000 Raw furskins of mink, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43012000 Raw furskin of rabbit or hare, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43013000 Raw furskin of lamb including Astrakhan, Broadtail, Caracul, Persian and similar lambs, Indian, Chinese, Mongolian or Tibetan lambs, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43014000 Raw furskin of beaver, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43015000 Raw furskin of musk-rat, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43016000 Raw furskins of fox, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43017010 Raw furskins of whitecoat pups of harp seal and of pups of hooded seal (blue-backs), whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43017090 Raw furskins of sea-lions, fur seals, other seals, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43018010 Raw furskins of sea-otter or of nutria (coypu), whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43018030 Raw furskins of marmot, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43018050 Raw furskins of wild felines, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43018090 Raw furskins of other animals, whole, with or without head, tail or paws 
			 43018095 Other raw furskins, whole, with or without head, tail or paws, including rabbit, hare, beaver, musk-rat 
			 43019000 Heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings suitable for furriers' use 
			 43021100 Tanned or dressed furskins of mink, not assembled 
			 43021200 Tanned or dressed furskins of rabbit or hare, not assembled 
			 43021300 Tanned or dressed furskins of lamb including Astrakahn, Broadtail, Caracul, Persian and similar lamb, Indian, Chinese, Mongolian or Tibetan lamb, not assembled 
			 43021910 Tanned or dressed furskins of beaver, not assembled 
			 43021920 Tanned or dressed furskins of musk-rat, not assembled 
			 43021930 Tanned or dressed furskins of fox, not assembled 
			 43021935 Tanned or dressed furskins of rabbit or hare, not assembled 
			 43021941 Tanned or dressed furskins of whitecoat pups of harp seal (blue-backs), not assembled 
			 43021949 Tanned or dressed furskins of sea-lions of furseals and other seals, not assembled 
			 43021950 Tanned or dressed furskins of sea otters or of nutria (coypu), not assembled 
			 43021960 Tanned or dressed furskins of marmot, not assembled 
			 43021970 Tanned or dressed furskins of wild felines, not assembled 
			 43021980 Tanned or dressed furskins of sheep or lambs, not assembled 
			 43021995 Tanned or dressed furskins of other animals, not assembled 
			 43022000 Heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings, not assembled 
			 43023010 "Dropped" furskins, assembled 
			 43023021 Tanned or dressed furskins of mink, assembled 
			 43023025 Tanned or dressed furskins of rabbit or hare, assembled 
			 43023031 Tanned or dressed furskins of lamb, Astrakahn, Broadtail, Caracul, Persian and similar lamb, Indian, Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetan lamb, assembled 
			 43023035 Tanned or dressed furskins of beaver, assembled 
			 43023041 Tanned and dressed furskins of musk-rat, assembled 
			 43023045 Tanned or dressed furskins of fox, assembled 
			 43023055 Tanned or dressed furskins of sea-lions, of furseals of other seals, assembled 
			 43023061 Tanned or dressed furskins of sea otters or of nutria (coypu), assembled 
			 43023065 Tanned or dressed furskins of marmot, assembled 
			 43023071 Tanned or dressed furskins of wild felines, assembled 
			 43023075 Tanned or dressed furskins of other animals, assembled 
			 43031010 Articles of apparel of furskins of whitecoat pups of harp seal or of pups of hooded seal (blue-backs) 
			 43031090 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories of sheep or lambskin other 
			 43039000 Other furskin articles other than clothing accessories 
		
	
	Note:
	Over the last 10 years, the coverage or description of some codes have changed. Consequently, comparisons over time, at the very detailed level require caution.

Higher Education Innovation Fund

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been spent on the (a) Higher Education Innovation Fund and (b) Public Sector Research Exploitation Fund in each quarter since its introduction.

Patricia Hewitt: Funding such as HEIF and PSRE enable better relationships with industry and support the commercialisation of the intellectual property generated by research carried out in the public sector and universities.
	Actual spend is shown in the following table:
	
		Higher Education Innovation Fund (Round 1):
		
			 Quarter £ 
		
		
			 February 2002 4,572,346 
			 Total 2001–02 4,572,346 
			   
			 May 2002 6,185,466 
			 August 2002 4,294,001 
			 November 2002 6,385,402 
			 February 2003 5,926,463 
			 Total 2002–03 22,791,332 
			   
			 May 2003 6,086,861 
			 August 2003 6,068,393 
			 November 2003 6,213,097 
			 February 2004 6,007,476 
			 Total 2003–04 24,375,827 
			   
			 May 2004 6,752,225 
			 Total spend 58,491,730 
		
	
	Higher Education Innovation Fund (Round 2)
	HEIF 2 funding has been allocated and will be available for drawdown from August 2004.
	Public Sector Research Exploitation Fund (Round 1)
	Actual spend for PSRE 1 is collected on an annual basis and is shown in the following table:
	
		PSRE payments—Each financial year
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2001–02 287,500 
			 2002–03 7,521,860 
			 2003–04 300,000 
			 Total 8,109,360 
		
	
	Public Sector Research Exploitation Fund (Round 2)
	Funding for PSRE Round 2 was available from 1 April 2004. Actual spend to date £6,205,817.

International Nuclear Waste Repository

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information her Department has received in respect of the decision of the International Atomic Energy Agency to construct an international repository for nuclear waste in Russia; and what plans there are to dispose of United Kingdom nuclear waste in this repository.

Stephen Timms: DTI has not received any information regarding this issue, but I understand that it was discussed at a private meeting at which the UK was not represented.
	The Government's policy on the export of radioactive waste is set out in paragraph 145 of Cm 2919, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy Final Conclusions", of July 1995.

Mary Lyon Centre

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what the (a) originally estimated and (b) actual cost of construction of the Medical Research Council's Mary Lyon Centre were; and if she will make a statement on the reasons for the difference.
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in the opening of the Medical Research Council's Mary Lyon Centre.

Patricia Hewitt: The original target date for opening the Mary Lyon Centre was the end of 2002 (as given in the MRC 2001–02 Annual Review). The building was completed in December 2003 and officially opened by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation in June 2004. It is a purpose-designed building incorporating the latest air handling and environmental engineering and will meet the highest possible standards for animal welfare.
	The original construction costs were estimated at £9.5 million in May 2000. The final construction costs were £12.6 million.
	The delay and increase in costs were, in part, due to: more space being required for individually-ventilated cages, incorporation of the quarantine area in the new building, Home Office requirements for a larger than anticipated quarantine area, and provision of specialised support facilities in each holding area rather than a centralised support facility. During this period, there were continuing negotiations with the contractor to keep the increase in costs to a minimum, which also added to the delay.

Post Offices (Burnley)

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what account the Post Office Ltd's proposals to close Accrington Road Post Office in Burnley took of (a) the alternative provision and (b) the number of elderly people living nearby:
	(2)  if Post Office Ltd will grant a sub-post office franchise to the Spar shop situated next to the Accrington Road Post Office in Burnley that is earmarked for closure;
	(3)  what account Post Office Ltd's proposals to close Queen Victoria Road Post Office in Burnley took of the access routes to alternative provision.

Stephen Timms: These are operational matters for Post Office Ltd and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

Russian Markets

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what potential markets in Russia for British business were discussed during her recent talks with Russia.

Mike O'Brien: The visit to Russia by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry was to hold discussions with Russian Ministers on a number of bilateral and multilateral issues. No sector specific discussions were held.
	The Russian Government are continuing with their reform programmes, including reforms to reduce bureaucracy and bureaucratic barriers. Both governments are committed to sustaining our bilateral relationship.

CABINET OFFICE

Regulatory Offices

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office to what extent current guidance issued by the Cabinet Office to regulatory offices permits them to be proactive in making policy.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office has recommended that all departments and regulators follow the Cabinet Office guidance "Better Policy Making: A Guide to Regulatory Impact Assessments" which details different ways in which policy-making problems can be addressed. This is available on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation) and a copy is also available in the Library. In January 2004, the Cabinet Office issued a revised 'Code of Practice on Consultation' which sets out standards for consultations run by Government and recommends that all regulators follow the guidance.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Recycling

Norman Baker: To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee if he will for environmental reasons replace the sturdy plastic bags provided with purchases in the Debate cafeteria, with paper bags.

Dennis Turner: There are no plans to change the clear plastic carrier bags used in the Debate, which are practical for their purpose. The bags help to reduce queues by allowing cashiers to see the contents without the need for them to be unpacked at the tills, and are sturdy enough to allow customers to carry hot drinks safely to their offices in Portcullis House and the other parliamentary buildings. Indeed, the bags are so sturdy that many of our customers re-use them and we encourage them to do this.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Procurement Policies

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what steps are taken by the Central Procurement Office to ensure that procurement policies apply criteria that maximise advantage to the environment; what relative weight is given to these compared with achieving best value for money; and if he will make a statement.

Archy Kirkwood: The Central Procurement Office requires an initial examination of suppliers' environmental performance at bidder selection stage. Questions about breaches of environmental law, and bidders' environmental policies, are asked as a matter of routine for all procurements conducted under UK contracts regulations. Any breach of the law is grounds for rejection. Weighting given to environmental policies will vary and be appropriate to the potential environmental impact of performing the contract. This standard approach is followed regardless of other award criteria.
	Weighting given to environmental factors in the evaluation of tenders will also depend on the potential impact of performance of the contract. Advantage to the environment is taken into account as part of the overall value for money assessment.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Alcohol

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which representatives of the alcohol industry she met on 28 June; what topics were discussed; what plans she has for further meetings; what other organisations with an interest in alcohol harm reduction she has met over the last three months; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: On 28 June, the Home Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport jointly held a productive meeting with a small group of selected leaders from within the alcohol retail and producer industries and trade associations about the implementation of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England. In particular, the meeting considered irresponsible sales promotions; possible means of changing the culture of binge drinking; and codes of good practice for retailers. There was widespread appreciation of the vital role the industry has to play and a determination on all sides to drive up standards. A range of further meetings will now follow that will focus on putting in place practical solutions to the problems identified. I have had regular meetings in the last three months in a working group with representatives of the police, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, the industry, local authorities and other Government Departments to discuss alcohol-related violence. The group is chaired by the Minister of State for Police and Crime Reduction in the Home Office.

Cricket

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the cricket academies in England she has provided funding to.

Richard Caborn: The Government, through Sport England, funds the following cricket academies:
	National Cricket Academy—Loughborough
	Derbyshire
	Durham
	Essex
	Gloucestershire
	Hampshire
	Kent
	Lancashire
	Leicestershire
	Middlesex
	Northamptonshire
	Nottinghamshire
	Somerset
	Surrey
	Warwickshire
	Worcestershire
	Yorkshire.

Digital Television

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received on the coverage of digital television services (a) now and (b) in two years' time; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: Over the past three months, the Department has received around 50 inquiries from MPs and around 510 letters and phone calls from members of the public regarding the coverage of digital television services. We have also answered five parliamentary questions from hon. Members on this subject. The majority of these enquiries are concerned with both current digital coverage and future predicted coverage for the next few years and at switchover.

Museums and Galleries

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list for each museum or gallery that contains a national collection (a) the grant in aid the Government has provided in each year since free entry was introduced, (b) the grant in aid the Government plans to provide in the future for each year that plans are available and (c) the targets that must be met in terms of (i) numbers of visitors and (ii) social inclusion.

Estelle Morris: Grant in aid provided to NDPB museums and galleries sponsored by the Department (a) since 2001, and (b) planned up to and including 2005–06, is set out in the table:
	
		Grant in aid -- £000
		
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 (planned) 
		
		
			 British Museum 36,069 36,469 37,719 37,999 38,215 
			 Geffrye Museum 1,174 1,274 1,256 1,811 1,431 
			 Horniman Museum 2,974 3,378 3,281 3,659 3,682 
			 Imperial War Museum 13,118 16,350 16,541 17,491 17,811 
			 Museum of London 4,951 6,293 6,574 6,506 6,576 
			 Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester 2,739 3,406 3,299 3,509 3,740 
			 National Gallery 19,949 20,449 20,479 21,227 21,460 
			 National Maritime Museum 12,588 13,681 14,012 15,731 14,825 
			 National Museums Liverpool 15,468 16,569 17,332 17,333 17,679 
			 National Museum of Science and Industry 26,734 32,040 34,750 33,119 32,882 
			 National Portrait Gallery 5,462 5,732 5,712 6,108 6,163 
			 Natural History Museum 32,377 38,085 39,603 39,647 40,080 
			 Royal Armouries 5,945 6,157 6,286 6,887 7,113 
			 Sir John Soane's Museum 699 699 2,749 969 776 
			 Tate Gallery 26,755 27,779 30,282 29,881 30,41 1 
			 Victoria and Albert Museum 32,337 34,771 34,839 36,125 36,781 
			 Wallace Collection 2,163 2,607 3,013 2,574 2,495 
		
	
	(c) National museums and galleries sponsored by the Department have agreed the following targets for (i) total visitors and (ii) C,2,D and E visitors in their 2003 Funding Agreements:
	
		
			 Institution Total visitors Numbers of C,2,D and E visitors(6) 
		
		
			 British Museum   
			 2003–04 4,400,000 580,000 
			 2004–05 4,400,000 600,000 
			 2005–06 4,500,000 620,000 
			
			 Geffrye Museum   
			 2003–04 83,000 15,200 
			 2004–05 85,000 15,600 
			 2005–06 88,000 16,000 
			
			 Horniman Museum   
			 2003–04 250,000 46,000 
			 2004–05 250,000 47,500 
			 2005–06 260,000 48,600 
			
			 Imperial War Museum   
			 2003–04 1,900,000 470,000 
			 2004–05 1,950,000 500,000 
			 2005–06 2,000,000 520,000 
			
			 Museum of London   
			 2003–04 400,000 39,000 
			 2004–05 400,000 42,000 
			 2005–06 500,000 55,000 
			
			 Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester 
			 2003–04 380,000 155,000 
			 2004–05 400,000 168,000 
			 2005–06 420,000 180,000 
			
			 National Gallery   
			 2003–04 4,100,000 370,000 
			 2004–05 4,200,000 375,000 
			 2005–06 4,500,000 405,000 
			
			 National Museums Liverpool   
			 2003–04 1,300,000 439,000 
			 2004–05 1,400,000 451,000 
			 2005–06 1,500,000 463,000 
			
			 National Maritime Museum   
			 2003–04 1,000,000 175,000 
			 2004–05 960,000 173,000 
			 2005–06 1,050,000 189,000 
			
			 National Museum of Science and Industry 
			 2003–04 3,853,000 844,000 
			 2004–05 3,925,000 870,000 
			 2005–06 3,960,000 900,000 
			
			 National Portrait Gallery   
			 2003–04 1,275,000 57,000 
			 2004–05 1,325,000 60,000 
			 2005–06 1,375,000 62,000 
			
			 National History Museum   
			 2003–04 2,800,000 460,000 
			 2004–05 2,850,000 472,000 
			 2005–06 2,850,000 484,000 
			 Royal Armouries   
			 2003–04 410,000 18,040 
			 2004–05 420,000 25,200 
			 2005–06 430,000 30,200 
			
			 Sir John Soane's Museum   
			 2003–04 85,000 2,600 
			 2004–05 87,000 2,650 
			 2005–06 87,000 2,700 
			
			 Tate   
			 2003–04 5,100,000 500,000 
			 2004–05 4,900,000 550,000 
			 2005–06 4,900,000 600,000 
			
			 Victoria and Albert Museum   
			 2003–04 2,200,000 168,000 
			 2004–05 2,250,000 173,000 
			 2005–06 2,300,000 180,000 
			
			 Wallace Collection   
			 2003–04 230,000 15,750 
			 2004–05 240,000 16,100 
			 2005–06 250,000 17,010 
		
	
	(6) Numbers of C2DE visitors in order to achieve an 8 per cent. increase by 2005–06 on the 2002–03 baseline.
	The (2003–06) Funding Agreements are available in full on the DCMS website www.culture.gov.uk.

Public Relations

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the salary costs to the Department were for employees working in public relations and publicity in each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: Salary costs to the Department for employees working in public relations and publicity in 2002–03 were £536,692 and for 2003–04 were £632,014. Information requested for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

Regional Arts Councils

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff were employed by each regional arts council in each year since 1997; what the budget of each council was in each year; and what proportion of the budget was allocated to administrative costs for each council in each year, broken down by (a) pay and (b) other costs.

Estelle Morris: Information requested by the hon. Member is contained in the table supplied by the Arts Council of England.
	We are waiting for the figures for 2002–03 from Arts Council England.
	
		Summary of RAB administration and overhead costs as a percentage of expenditure
		
			  East England Arts East Midland Arts Board London Arts 
		
		
			 1997–98
			 Staffing and related costs 908,331 715,999 1,288,960 
			 Other administration costs 397,861 306,999 859,400 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,306,192 1,022,998 2,148,360 
			 Total expenditure 5,921,244 5,168,319 14,872,438 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 22 20 14 
			 Average number of staff 41 36 44 
			 
			 1998–99
			 Staffing and related costs 992,060 761,453 1,251,771 
			 Other administration costs 364,820 360,851 715,972 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,356,880 1,122,304 1,967,743 
			 Total expenditure 5,639,774 5,365,203 14,811,118 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 24 21 13 
			 Average number of staff 41 45 42 
			 
			 1999–2000
			 Staffing and related costs 1,146,055 1,111,490 1,430,902 
			 Other administration costs 481,393 563,177 898,938 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,627,448 1,674,667 2,329,840 
			 Total expenditure 6,293,572 7,006,544 16,015,916 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 26 24 15 
			 Average number of staff 41 58 45 
			 
			 2000–01
			 Staffing and related costs 1,125,998 1,266,225 1,826,186 
			 Other administration costs 524,561 422,850 1,585,469 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,650,559 1,689,075 3,411,655 
			 Total expenditure 7,000,460 9,088,237 29,407,937 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 24 19 12 
			 Average number of staff 38 58 65 
			 
			 2001–02
			 Staffing and related costs 1,187,428 1,111,243 2,188,180 
			 Other administration costs 783,951 491,389 1,526,516 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,971,379 1,602,632 3,714,696 
			 Total expenditure 12,197,680 11,534,548 34,785,603 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 16 14 11 
			 Average number of staff 42 59 69 
		
	
	
		
			  Northern Arts Board North West Arts Board Southern Arts Board 
		
		
			 1997–98
			 Staffing and related costs 831,749 933,757 825,751 
			 Other administration costs 359,394 534,109 326,794 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,191,143 1,467,866 1,152,545 
			 Total expenditure 7,891,794 11,219,265 4,503,999 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 15 13 26 
			 Average number of staff 36 46 33 
			 
			 1998–99
			 Staffing and related costs 845,136 1,007,910 865,136 
			 Other administration costs 308,273 540,287 349,349 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,153,409 1,548,197 1,214,485 
			 Total expenditure 8,267,016 10,078,239 5,079,650 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 14 15 24 
			 Average number of staff 37 46 33 
			 
			 1999–2000
			 Staffing and related costs 932,376 1,100,443 955,265 
			 Other administration costs 372,542 585,497 491,926 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,304,918 1,685,940 1,447,191 
			 Total expenditure 9,405,899 11,546,441 5,819,415 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 14 15 25 
			 Average number of staff 37 51 38 
			 2000–01
			 Staffing and related costs 984,456 1,215,298 1,119,967 
			 Other administration costs 525,242 690,331 375,388 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,509,698 1,905,629 1,495,355 
			 Total expenditure 13,066,717 20,406,256 10,306,390 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 12 9 15 
			 Average number of staff 38 53 38 
			 
			 2001–02
			 Staffing and related costs 1,021,101 1,347,878 1,425,184 
			 Other administration costs 571,021 687,347 387,988 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,592,122 2,035,225 1,813,172 
			 Total expenditure 15,655,706 24,416,660 12,789,879 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 10 8 14 
			 Average number of staff 38 55 40 
		
	
	
		
			  South East Arts Board South West Arts Board West Midlands Arts Board Yorkshire Arts Board 
		
		
			 1997–98 
			 Staffing and related costs 726,399 665,597 1,002,117 885,370 
			 Other administration costs 289,395 411,237 220,610 347,252 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,015,794 1,076,834 1,222,727 1,232,622 
			 Total expenditure 3,615,520 5,238,197 6,822,659 7,774,146 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 28 21 18 16 
			 Average number of staff 30 33 42 40 
			  
			 1998–99 
			 Staffing and related costs 771,084 675,165 1,061,746 948,554 
			 Other administration costs 362,321 603,399 215,600 366,634 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,133,405 1,278,564 1,277,346 1,315,188 
			 Total expenditure 3,761,861 5,297,039 7,000,927 8,021,625 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 30 24 18 16 
			 Average number of staff 31 33 42 44 
			  
			 1999–2000 
			 Staffing and related costs 1,032,689 865,865 1,270,866 1,027,526 
			 Other administration costs 441,841 977,976 209,971 437,317 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,474,530 1,843,841 1,480,837 1,464,843 
			 Total expenditure 4,398,127 6,183,189 8,145,266 8,814,294 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 34 30 18 17 
			 Average number of staff 40 42 46 45 
			  
			 2000–01 
			 Staffing and related costs 1,139,559 1,076,325 1,122,211 1,108,738 
			 Other administration costs 466,581 385,060 452,053 440,048 
			 Total administration and overheads 1,606,140 1,461,385 1,574,264 1,548,786 
			 Total expenditure 6,475,350 8,566,878 13,164,245 12,095,054 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 25 17 12 13 
			 Average number of staff 43 43 45 44 
			  
			 2001–02 
			 Staffing and related costs 1,216,326 1,215,465 1,212,588 1,193,129 
			 Other administration costs 855,379 459,106 580,131 508,643 
			 Total administration and overheads 2,071,705 1,674,571 1,792,719 1,701,772 
			 Total expenditure 9,545,804 11,053,922 15,412,082 14,132,920 
			 Admin and overheads as percentage of total expenditure 22 15 12 12 
			 Average number of staff 42 42 50 42 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figure for total administration and overheads includes staffing, premises, travel and subsistence, legal and company costs. It excludes everything which may be considered to be direct arts spend.
	2. All figures are taken from RAB audited accounts
	3. From 2001–02 onwards RABs were set up as delegate bodies for distribution of NLDF funds hence their increase in total expenditure in 2000–01 and 2001–02.

Travel Costs

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the travel costs were of civil servants in (a) her Department and (b) its related agencies in each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules contained in the Civil Service Management Code and the Department's staff handbook.
	The table shows expenditure on travel and subsistence combined by civil servants in the Department and its agency, the Royal Parks from, 1997–98 to 2003–04. An analysis on travel only is not recorded on the Department's accounting system and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		£
		
			 Financial year DCMS Royal parks 
		
		
			 2003–04(7) 429,615.97 37,771 
			 2002–03 479,690.78 40,833 
			 2001–02 411,227.86 26,015 
			 2000–01 366,112.06 20,132 
			 1999–2000 362,767.76 19,854 
			 1998–99 252,990.17 27,298 
			 1997–98 256,166.64 41,434 
		
	
	(7) FY 2003–04 costs are provisional pending finalisation of Department's and RPA's annual accounts.

DEFENCE

Arctic Convoys

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received on the award of medals to those who served on the Arctic convoys.

Ivor Caplin: Since 1 April 2004 the Ministry of Defence has received the following correspondence from hon. Members and members of the public on a medal for service for the Arctic convoys.
	Parliamentary questions: 10
	Ministerial correspondence: 24
	Correspondence and telephone enquiries from members of the public: approximately 65.
	A petition of approximately 44,000 names was delivered to my right hon. Friend The Prime Minister on 15 May and has since been passed to the Ministry of Defence.

Arctic Convoys

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether records have been kept of armed forces personnel who served on the convoys to Russia during the Second World War.

Ivor Caplin: A definitive list of armed forces personnel who served on the convoys to Russia during World War II is not held.

Army Recruitment

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel were recruited to the (a) Green Howards and (b) Prince of Wales's Own Regiment from the Calderdale area in each of the last five years.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 12 July 2004
	Since 2001–02 only one soldier has been enlisted into The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment (PWO) from the Calderdale area. There have been no enlistments to the Green Howards (GH). Statistics prior to this period are not available.

Army Recruitment

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel were recruited to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment from the (a) Calderdale and (b) West Yorkshire area in each of the last five years.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The following table shows the numbers of soldiers enlisted into the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (DWR) from the Calderdale and West Yorkshire area between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2004. Statistics prior to this period are not available.
	
		
			  Financial year  Calderdale West Yorkshire (excluding Calderdale) 
		
		
			 2001–02 33 72 
			 2002–03 24 70 
			 2003–04 47 53 
		
	
	It should be noted that Infantry recruits are enlisted into a Division and not a specific Regiment. The results in this table may not, therefore, be fully accurate as it reflects those recruits who specified DWR as a 'Preferred Capbadge' on enlisting as recorded on the database of Headquarters Recruiting Group, who oversee the Army's recruiting offices.
	All Infantry Regiments recruit soldiers from specific areas, although if a recruit has a particular desire to join a Regiment that recruits from another area they are permitted to choose that Regiment. The area of Calderdale is the recruiting territory of the DWR within the Kings Division, so any potential recruit for the Infantry that joins from the Calderdale area will normally be enlisted into the DWR. The only other Regiment that recruits from the Calderdale area is the Coldstream Guards.

Army Recruitment

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of soldiers in the Scottish infantry regiments were recruited outside Scotland.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The following table shows the numbers and percentages of recruits into the Scottish Division for Financial Year 2003–04.
	
		
			  Number Percentage of enlistments 
		
		
			 Total enlisted into Scottish Division for FY  2003–04 616 — 
			 Enlisted from outside Scotland—British 7 1.14 
			 Enlisted from outside Scotland—Commonwealth 26 4.22 
			 Total enlisted from outside Scotland 33 5.36 
		
	
	The figures do not include the Scots Guards, who are part of the Guards Division, and only reflect the six Battalions of the Scottish Infantry Division. These are The Royal Scots, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, The Kings Own Scottish Borders, The Black Watch, The Highlanders and The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Additionally, of the 26 Commonwealth recruits enlisted into the Scottish Division in FY 2003–04,13 were recruited in Scotland.

Chinook Crash

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the wreckage of flight ZD 576 was put into storage at Fleetlands.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The wreckage of Chinook ZD 576 was transferred by the Mobile Aircraft Support Unit from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch site at Farnborough, to secure storage at Fleetlands at the end of July 1994.

Chinook Crash

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps were taken before the final flight of ZD 576 to ensure that the aircraft was airworthy.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 12 July 2004
	As Pilot, Flt Lt Tapper, carried out the appropriate pre-flight checks and inspections.

Departmental Buildings

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total floor space area of buildings owned or leased by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies for each year since 1997.

Ivor Caplin: The only data available is for 1997 and 2002, and covers gross external area (GEA), of freehold property assets owned by the Ministry of Defence. This data is drawn from periodic asset revaluation and comparable information for the other years (as with details of leasehold property) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Assets belonging to trading funds are also excluded.
	The GEA figures include substantial ground assets such as runways and parade grounds as well as buildings. It is estimated that, in 2002, some 42 per cent. of GEA were building assets for the United Kingdom estate as follows:
	1997—71.1 million m 2 (including 23.1 million m 2 owned by its Agencies) of which buildings are estimated at 30.1 million m 2 .
	2002—62 million m 2 (including 21 million m 2 owned by its Agencies) of which buildings are estimated at 26 million m 2 .

Departmental Library

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many volumes of military publications previously held in his Department's library at New Scotland Yard are held at Chicksands; and to whom it is his intention to dispose of them.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 12 July 2004
	Some 80,000 books were transferred from the Ministry of Defence Library in New Scotland Yard to Chicksands. There is no intention to dispose of them.

Departmental Water Consumption/Spending

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much (a) his Department and (b) agencies of the Department have spent on water and sewerage services in each year since 1997.

Ivor Caplin: I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 7a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. This exemption relates to information whose disclosure could lead to improper gain or advantage or would prejudice the competitive position of the Ministry of Defence.

Departmental Water Consumption/Spending

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes there has been in water consumption by his Department in each year from 1997 to date.

Ivor Caplin: Information on the Ministry of Defence total water consumption is not held centrally, however, current net water consumption is estimated at 24.2 million m 3 per annum. Comprehensive data collection processes are being establish through the MOD UK-wide Water and Wastewater Public Private Partnership Project (Project Aquatrine) and total water consumption will be reported in the Department's Sustainable Development Report from 2006.

Departmental Water Consumption/Spending

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the non-office sites within his Department's estates which have been identified as being likely to provide opportunities for significant water savings.

Ivor Caplin: The majority of sites on the Defence estate are categorised as non-office sites. The top 300 water consuming sites account for approximately 80 per cent. of the Ministry of Defence's water consumption. I will write to the hon. Member with a list of these sites and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the nature was of the consultation between the organising board of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and his Department; what response his Department gave; and if he make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: Edinburgh Military Tattoo Ltd is an independent registered company. Ministry of Defence involvement with the Company has been restricted to the provision of UK Service Personnel as performers, and in the provision of logistic support and military advice to the Board of Directors. Routine consultation on these matters takes place on a regular basis.

Employment Tribunals

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases against his Department, the agencies for which it is responsible and its predecessor organisations have been brought to employment tribunals in each year since 1997 in relation to (a) equal pay, (b) sex discrimination, (c) race discrimination, (d) disability discrimination and (e) unfair dismissal; how many cost awards were made against (i) respondents and (ii) applicants; and how much has been spent (A) settling and (B) contesting claims.

Ivor Caplin: The information, relating to applications made to employment tribunals, by current and former service personnel is set out as follows. Information relating to applications made by civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  New cases 
			  Received Settled Paid (£) 
		
		
			 Equal pay
			 1997–98 17 6 51,000 
			 1998–99 4 0 — 
			 1999–2000 4 0 — 
			 2000–01 10 0 — 
			 2001–02 30 0 — 
			 2002–03 9 0 — 
			 2003–04 1 0 — 
			 
			 Sex discrimination/harassment 
			 1997–98 138 21 444,614 
			 1998–99 31 19 569,000 
			 1999–2000 28 5 60,640 
			 2000–01 21 10 78,500 
			 2001–02 32 6 118,500 
			 2002–03 24 11 182,478 
			 2003–04 29 15 308,871 
			 Race discrimination/harassment 
			 1997–98 14 0 — 
			 1998–99 16 2 6,000 
			 1999–2000 15 3 96,141 
			 2000–01 12 7 97,500 
			 2001–02 7 3 28,500 
			 2002–03 10 5 104,500 
			 2003–04 5 1 32,500 
			 
			 Unfair dismissal 
			 1997–98 0 0 — 
			 1998–99 6 0 — 
			 1999–2000 24 0 — 
			 2000–01 19 0 — 
			 2001–02 28 0 — 
			 2002–03 12 1 12,500 
			 2003–04 12 1 80,000 
			 
			 Legal costs
			 1997–98 n/a n/a n/a 
			 1998–99 n/a n/a n/a 
			 1999–2000 — — 316,890 
			 2000–01 — — 206,295 
			 2001–02 — — 549,265 
			 2002–03 n/a n/a n/a 
			 2003–04 — — 792,865 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures relating to the number of settlements and compensation paid includes cases settled at employment tribunals and prior to such hearings. Claims relating to disability discrimination are not recorded separately.
	2. The expenditure on sex discrimination/harassment cases excludes payments made to those service personnel dismissed from the armed forces on the grounds of their homosexuality and who brought claims at the employment tribunal and/or the European Court of Human Rights.
	3. We cannot provide figures for the Department's legal costs in handling employment tribunal applications for 1997–98 and 1998–99. Likewise due to changes in internal accounting procedures it is not possible to separate legal costs in relation to employment tribunal cases from the overall legal costs incurred by MOD during financial year 2002–03.
	4. Costs awards in employment tribunal are not common. Normally each party bears its own costs. However, where in the opinion of the tribunal, a party has in bringing the proceedings, or a party or a party's representatives has in conducting the proceedings, acted vexatiously, abusively, disruptively or otherwise unreasonably, or the bringing or conducting of the proceedings by a party has been misconceived, the tribunal may make an order in respect of all or part of the other party's costs.

Eurofighter

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the outcome of the negotiations concerning tranche 2 of the Eurofighter; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 21 June 2004, Official Report, columns 1073–74, to the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack).

European Defence Collaboration

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new agreements have been negotiated to augment the Six Nation Framework Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Since the Letter of Intent (LOI) Framework Agreement was signed in July 2000 the following implementing arrangements have been concluded:
	(a) Security of Supply.
	(b) Export Procedures (six nation signature process currently under way).
	(c) Research and Technology.
	(d) Transfer of Technical Information.
	(e) Harmonisation of Military Requirements.
	Additionally, an amendment to the Security procedures in the Framework Agreement was signed by all six nations earlier this year and an initial set of guidelines on export promotion has been agreed. Collectively, the Framework Agreement and these arrangements are designed to foster more efficient equipment and industrial cooperation with our European partners. The six LOI nations are now considering how to measure the benefits emerging from the implementation of the Framework Agreement.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what co-operation there has been between Spain and British forces stationed in Gibraltar on the illegal trafficking of people across the straits of Gibraltar.

Adam Ingram: Preventing illegal immigration is primarily the responsibility of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Spain. The UK is an active participant in the meetings and activities of the Western Sea Border Centre, which is led by Spain. The task of the centre is to develop and co-ordinate joint activity to strengthen the EU's external sea border with particular focus on the Western Mediterranean. However, illegal immigrants rarely attempt to land in Gibraltar, and any who are intercepted by British Forces Gibraltar are handed over to the Royal Gibraltar Police. British forces stationed in Gibraltar do not normally play a major role in this field.

International Traffic in Arms Regulations

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the progress his Department has made in obtaining an International Traffic in Arms Regulations waiver for the UK from the US Administration;
	(2)  what recent discussions his Department has had with US Congressional leaders regarding an International Traffic in Arms Regulations waiver for the UK.

Geoff Hoon: Agreement was reached last year with the US Administration on the terms of a United Kingdom exemption from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Such an exemption requires the approval of the US Congress and the necessary draft legislation is under active consideration.
	The Ministry of Defence has ensured that Congressional leaders who have responsibilities in this matter are fully aware of the importance that the United Kingdom attaches to having the ITAR exemption in place.

Iraq

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq.

Geoff Hoon: The security situation in Iraq remains difficult, but progress is being made, with the Iraqi Government at the forefront of efforts to improve security. Almost 90,000 Iraqi police are on duty in Iraq, wherever possible taking the lead in providing security to their own people, and more are being trained. Prime Minister Allawi said in a recent statement
	"I have full confidence in the ability of our security forces and in our international partners provided they have the support of the Iraqi people. It is the duty of every citizen to help bring security to Iraq."

Iraq

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he was first informed of investigations into activities of US personnel at Abu Ghraib prison; and what response he has made.

Adam Ingram: Investigations of alleged offences of US personnel are a matter for the US Government.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 8 June 2004, Official Report, columns 4–5WS, on Iraq, when he received the correct number of investigations into civilian deaths, injuries or alleged ill-treatment; and when he provided this information to the Prime Minister.

Adam Ingram: I received the information, and provided it to the Prime Minister, on 8 June.

Iraq

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals have served in the UK armed forces in the Second Gulf War.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 17 June 2004
	Around 45,000 troops were deployed in the initial stages of Operation Telic. Since 1 May 2003 around 25,000 troops have been deployed, bringing the total to around 70,000. There have been three major troop handovers since 1 May 2003, so the total figure given is an estimate. The three roulements have each involved around 8,500 personnel, but this number does not account for repeat or extended tours, nor battle casualty replacements.

Future Joint Combat Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he expects the Future Joint Combat Aircraft to be delivered (a) on time and (b) within budget.

Adam Ingram: Against current planning assumptions, it is expected that the Future Joint Combat Aircraft will be delivered on time.
	It is currently estimated that the Future Joint Combat Aircraft Demonstration phase approval will be exceeded by around £340 million. This estimate has been identified following a thorough review some three years into the phase, using the systematic processes of Smart Acquisition. Without losing the benefits of the process, we are currently examining ways to bring the phase back to within current approval levels by the end of March 2005. The figure is not connected to the recent rise in the cost of the JSF System Demonstration and Development phase, the UK's contribution to which is fixed.

Llanbedr Airfield

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Llanbedr airfield will be closed; and what will happen to its staff when it closes.

Ivor Caplin: It is planned that operations at the Llanbedr airfield will cease on 31 October 2004. Following this, there will be a site closure programme, with formal handover to Defence Estates planned for 11 February 2005. All 144 staff at Llanbedr have been given notice of redundancy. It is expected that approximately 90 staff will be made redundant on 5 November 2004, with the remaining staff being made redundant on 11 February 2005. QinetiQ, the company operating activities on the site on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, has appointed Right Courts consultancy to assist the staff in finding alternative employment, including within the company where suitable vacancies exist.

Llanbedr Airfield

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the range at Aberporth will be viable without the pilotless target drones from Llanbedr.

Ivor Caplin: Yes, it will. The drones at Llanbedr, aerial target towing vehicles known as the Jindivik, will be replaced by the Mirach target service, a modern pilotless aircraft which does not require a runway launch and which will be operated from Aberporth itself.

Llanbedr Airfield

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use he plans will be made of the long runway at Llanbedr; and whether it will be used by commercial traffic.

Ivor Caplin: A range of options for future use of the site will be considered which may include use by commercial traffic.

Management Groups

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the responsibilities of the (a) Personnel Director, (b) Pay and Personnel Agency, (c) Defence Vetting Agency, (d) Defence Export Services Organisation, (e) Finance Director, (f) Defence Analytical Services Agency, (g) Defence Bills Agency, (h) Chief Constable MOD Police and (i) Chief Scientific Adviser management groups.

Ivor Caplin: Most defence activity takes place outside the Ministry of Defence Head Office and is managed through 12 Top Level Budget (TLB) holders and five Trading Funds. The Permanent Secretary grants each TLB-holder extensive delegated powers over his/her resources of cash, personnel and infrastructure. Each TLB holder has a 'contract' with the MOD head office, known as a Service Delivery Agreement, which specifies the outputs required of that TLB, the resources they are given to deliver these outputs, and the underpinning performance management regime. The responsibilities of the management groupings are listed as follows:
	(a) The Personnel Director is the budget holder for the Corporate Services Higher Level Budget and chairs its management board. The Personnel Director is responsible for a wide range of important management functions and related corporate services for the MOD as a whole. As the post title suggests, there is a particular responsibility for the Ministry's corporate HR strategy and management of its almost 90,000 civilian staff.
	(b) The Pay and Personnel Agency provides a pay and personnel information service to the MOD and other customers in the public sector.
	(c) The Defence Vetting Agency aims to provide an acceptable level of assurance as to the integrity of Defence employees and Defence industry staff who are given authorised access to sensitive Government information or valuable assets.
	(d) The Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) has an important role in implementing the Government's policy of supporting legitimate defence exports. DESO provides assistance to United Kingdom defence companies and to overseas customers interested in acquiring UK defence products.
	(e) The Finance Director is responsible for the Department's planning, finance and performance management processes. He also acts as 'owner' of the Defence Analytical Services Agency and the Defence Bills Agency.
	(f) The Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) provides professional analytical and statistical services and advice to the Ministry of Defence and defence-related statistics to Parliament, other Government Departments and the public. DASA is responsible for publishing all National Statistics on defence and these can be found on our website www.dasa.mod.uk.
	(g) The Defence Bills Agency (DBA) carries out the following functions for the Ministry of Defence: Corporate bill payment and invoicing and debt management services, provision of accounting records for the MOD central ledger and associated financial management information for MOD customers. Further information can be found in the DBA annual report and accounts which is available in the Library of the House of Commons.
	(h) The Chief Constable and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency is responsible for the prevention of crime within the MOD estate. In addition the Force has special responsibility for the policing and security of key areas of Defence and other organisations, including the Crown.
	(i) The 3* Defence Science and Technology (S&T) Board, chaired by the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), provides high level strategic guidance on the formulation of the S&T Research Programme, conducts Balance of Investment within the Programme and reviews its delivery. It also supports CSA in ensuring that the benefits arising from S&T expenditure are clearly understood across the Department, and focused on the Department's needs. A subset of the S&T Board is responsible for overseeing the in-year management of the Corporate Science, Innovation and Technology TLB, top-level performance assessment and consideration of audit reports. Day to day management of the TLB is delegated to the S&T Director, supported by a management group which meets on a monthly basis.
	Further information on individual defence agencies is available in the Library of the House.

Management Groups

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his Department's top level budget holders and their related management groupings for financial year 2004–05.

Adam Ingram: The Management Grouping structure for the financial year 2004–05 is as follows:
	
		
			 Top Level Budget Management Groupings 
		
		
			 Commander-in-Chief Fleet Fleet 
			 General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland) General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland) 
			 Commander-in-Chief Land Command Command Field Army 
			  Joint Helicopter Command 
			  Land Support 
			  Command Regional Forces 
			 Air Officer Commanding-in Chief RAF Strike Command 1 Group 
			  2 Group 
			  3 Group 
			  Deputy Commander-in-Chief 
			 Chief of Joint Operations British Forces Cyprus 
			  Permanent Joint Headquarters 
			  British Forces Falkland Islands 
			  British Forces Gibraltar 
			  Sovereign Base Areas Administration 
			 Chief of Defence Logistics Defence Fuels Group 
			  Defence Communication Services Agency 
			  DG Equipment Support(Land) 
			  DG Equipment Support(Air) 
			  Defence Transport and Movements Agency 
			  Deputy Chief of Defence Logistics 
			  Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency 
			  Defence Supply Chain HQ 
			  Defence Storage and Distribution Agency 
			  British Forces Post Office 
			  Warship Support Agency 
			 2nd Sea Lord/Commander-in Chief Naval Home Command Flag Officer Training and Recruiting HQ 
			 Adjutant General Army Personnel Centre 
			  Army Training and Recruiting Agency 
			  Service Children's Education 
			  Army Primary Health Care Service 
			  Deputy Adjutant General HLB 
			  Army Programme 
			  General Staff 
			  QVS 
			  DYRMS 
			 Air Officer Commanding-in Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command Personnel Management Agency 
			  Training Group Defence Agency 
			  Core HQ 
			 Central Personnel Director 
			  Pay and Personnel Agency 
			  Defence Vetting Agency 
			  Defence Export Services Organisation 
			  Finance Director 
			  Defence Analytical Services Agency 
			  Defence Bills Agency 
			  Chief Constable MOD Police 
			  Defence Academy 
			  Defence Estates 
			  Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Personnel) 
			  Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Health) 
			  Director Special Forces 
			  Defence Geographic and imaging Intelligence Agency 
			  Veterans Agency 
			  Defence Dental Agency 
			  Defence Housing Executive 
			  Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency 
			  Chief of Defence Intelligence 
			  Defence Intelligence and Security Centre 
			  Defence Medical Education and Training Agency 
			  Head Office 
			  Policy and Commitments 
			  Director General Intelligence Collection 
			 Defence Procurement Agency Nuclear 
			  Programme Account 
			 Corporate Science and Technology Corporate Science and Technology

Ministerial Air Travel

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each year since 1997 the number of miles flown by each minister on official departmental business.

Ivor Caplin: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, since 1999 the government has published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information reaching back to 1995–96. Information for 2003–04 is currently being assembled and will be published shortly. All Ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Operation Harangue

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantity of arms, ammunition and other materials have been recovered in the course of Operation Harangue; from which barracks the stolen items originated, broken down by type; and what subsequent action has been taken against the individuals concerned.

Ivor Caplin: A total of 81 suspected firearms have been seized, the authenticity of which, have yet to be established. This includes an amount of component parts, firing pins, gun barrels and a silencer. Approximately 12,000 rounds of varying types of ammunition were recovered but the majority are believed to be blank. However, with other items seized, live rounds could be manufactured. A quantity of explosive substances was recovered much of which was attributable to fireworks. However, substances of a Hazard Classification code 1.1 and 1.2 were recovered and have been forwarded for forensic examination to establish classification. An amount of suspected Ministry of Defence property has also been seized, including operational ration packs, a 94 mm Rocket System indoor training aid, clothing, camouflage netting, hexamine cookers, rucksacks and pump assemblies. Because inquiries are at an early stage, it is not possible to give exact numbers or to specify where the items may have come from.

Pay Systems

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the most recent review of (a) his Department's pay systems, (b) the pay systems of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible and (c) the departmental equal pay action plan.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence currently has a four year pay deal operating from 2002–05. There has therefore been no substantial change to MOD's pay system since 2002. There are no plans to place the MOD pay deal in the Library.
	There are seven executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by MOD. They are given grants-in-aid from which they pay staff in line with affordability, recruitment, retention and motivation of staff and the public sector pay climate. There are no plans to place their pay details in the Library.
	The Ministry of Defence, in common with all other Government Departments, conducted an equal pay audit following the publication of the report by the Equal Opportunities Commission Equal Pay Task Force, "Just Pay", in March 2001. The outcome of the audit, including an initial action plan, was notified to the Cabinet Office in April 2003. MOD was satisfied that its policy had not directly discriminated on gender grounds. We did however propose further work on a number of issues and these were detailed in the initial action plan at the end of the report. Discussions are to take place with the Cabinet Office, and, once concluded, a copy of the final MOD action plan will be placed in the Library.

Sustainable Development

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been identified as the most significant sustainable development impacts in relation to the operation of the estate of his Department's Estate pursuant to the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence has identified its most significant sustainable development impacts in relation to the operation of its Estate which also reflect the Department's focus on delivering operational capability and sustainability.
	16 headline indicators, representing MOD's most significant sustainable development impacts, have been identified and agreed by MOD's Sustainable Development Steering Group.
	These impacts are grouped in five main categories, namely: Sustainable Development and Environmental Management in Defence; Environmental Protection in Defence; Defence as an Employer; Defence in the Wider Community and the Impact of Defence on the UK economy.
	The headline indicators are:
	Economic Impacts: acquisition; Environmental Impacts: appraisal; environmental management systems; heritage; biodiversity; water; energy and travel; waste; contaminated land; nuclear materials; Social Impacts: Investors in People; health, safety and well being; diversity work/life balance; community involvement and volunteering.

Sustainable Development

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps have been taken by his Department following the issue of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate to review arrangements for public reporting of sustainable development impacts;
	(2)  what arrangements his Department has following the issue of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate to report publicly on its key sustainable development impacts.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence already publishes its Annual Report and Accounts, as well as a Stewardship Report on the Defence Estate. In the past, the Department has also published an annual health and safety, environment, and fire (SHEF) report. All of these reports include some information on sustainable development issues.
	The MOD has reviewed its arrangements for the public reporting of its sustainable development impacts in line with the requirements set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.
	As a result of that review, the Ministry of Defence will publish its own Sustainable Development Report on an annual basis beginning in autumn 2004. A copy of that report will be placed in the Library of the House.

Sustainable Development

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes there have been in (a) road transport vehicle carbon dioxide emissions and (b) single occupancy car commuting by his Department's staff against the baseline year identified in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

Ivor Caplin: Information on changes in Ministry of Defence road transport vehicle carbon dioxide emissions and single occupancy car commuting is being collated as part of the Department's contribution to the Government's Sustainable Development in Government report for the financial year 2003–04. The information will also be included in the first annual Ministry of Defence Sustainable Development report. Both of these reports will be published in the autumn, and copies of each will be placed in the Library of the House.

Watermark Project

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has joined the Watermark project.

Ivor Caplin: I can confirm that the Royal Navy, Army, RAF, Defence Logistic Organisation and Defence Estates have either submitted data to Watermark or continue to maintain contact with the project.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcohol Abuse

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representatives of the alcohol industry he met on 28 June; what topics were discussed; what plans he has for further meetings; what other organisations with an interest in alcohol harm reduction he has met over the last three months; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport met with a range of trade associations and companies in the alcohol industry on 28 June. The round table discussion was about the contribution that the industry can make to changing the culture of binge drinking and reducing the crime and disorder that is associated with it.
	The meeting included representatives from pub and club chains, trade associations, manufacturers and the off-trade.
	As part of the implementation of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England, and in the wider course of my ministerial duties, I have met with a variety of organisations with an interest in alcohol harm reduction. These include the alcohol industry, the police, and others, at both the national and the local level.

Alcohol Abuse

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has investigated the role played by off-licences in levels of antisocial behaviour in urban communities; what plans he has to target irresponsible off-licence retailers; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: One of the four main strands of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England is work with the alcohol industry to reduce the violence and antisocial behaviour associated with alcohol misuse. The Strategy clearly indicates that this includes the off-trade. All retailers will be strongly encouraged to sign up to the national social responsibility scheme which is currently being drawn up in consultation with the on and off-trade.
	The summer enforcement campaign, led by the Home Office Police Standards Unit and the Association of Chief Police Officers, will target those selling alcohol irresponsibly and those selling illegally to under-18s. This will include off-licences and supermarkets.

Alcohol Abuse

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to introduce additional measures to tackle underage street drinking in residential areas; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England, published on 15 March recognises the importance of tackling underage drinking.
	The Government have strengthened the legal framework preventing the sale of alcohol to under-18s, and introduced a clear set of options for tackling under-age drinkers including fixed penalty notices for drunk and disorderly behaviour by 16 to 17-year-olds and antisocial behaviour orders. We need to make sure that these existing powers are used effectively.
	The alcohol misuse enforcement campaign was launched on 8 July and will run throughout the summer. The police and trading standards officers will use a variety of tactics to clamp down on those selling alcohol irresponsibly, including 'sting' operations sending under-18s into off-licences to buy alcohol. Underage sales will also be addressed through the forthcoming social responsibility scheme for alcohol retailers.
	The Government have strengthened the powers available to tackle the particular problem of underage street drinking. Section 155 of the Licensing Act 2003 came into force in September 2003 and extended police powers to confiscate alcohol from young people drinking and causing a nuisance in public places, allowing for the confiscation of sealed containers as well as open containers.

Alcohol Abuse

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are to be introduced to tackle the problem of alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.

Hazel Blears: The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy was published on 15 March. It makes a wide variety of recommendations and those specifically focused on antisocial behaviour include the need for greater use of exclusion orders to ban those causing trouble from pubs and clubs or entire town centres; encouraging the full use of acceptable behaviour contracts and antisocial behaviour orders to tackle unacceptable behaviour and greater use of the new fixed penalty notices to clamp down on drunk and disorderly behaviour. Additionally, the Home Office Police Standards Unit, working in partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers, have invited forces and other partners from across the country to take part in a co-ordinated programme of enforcement and initiatives to tackle alcohol fuelled violence. The campaign will target the irresponsible few who encourage underage and binge drinking and will also focus on tackling drunken behaviour.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many antisocial behaviour orders have been imposed by the courts at the same time that they have passed a sentence for a criminal conviction in each year since 2002;
	(2)  how many antisocial behaviour orders have been applied for by (a) registered social landlords and (b) the British Transport police in each year since 2002;
	(3)  how many antisocial behaviour orders that apply throughout the country have been issued in each year since 2002;
	(4)  how many interim antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in each year since 2002 in (a) England and Wales and (b) each county;
	(5)  what the average duration was of antisocial behaviour orders issued in each year since 1999;
	(6)  how many antisocial behaviour orders have been breached in each year since 1999; and how many of those were punished with (a) fines and (b) prison sentences;
	(7)  how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in each year since 1999 in (a) England and Wales and (b) each county.

Hazel Blears: From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data on the number of Anti- social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued was collected by police force area. From 1 June 2000 official statistics are based on quarterly returns from Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs). Since 2 December 2002, following implementation of the Police Reform Act, data are also collected from the Crown court and the county courts. Available information is given in the tables and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Asylum/Immigration

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested by the police for immigration offences in each of the last five years.

Des Browne: Information collected centrally on arrests is for 'notifiable' offence groups only. Those immigration offences that are 'notifiable' are included under the "Other" offence group and cannot be identified separately.

Bichard Inquiry Report

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the legal costs relating to action to suspend the Chief Constable of Humberside from office; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's decision to require Humberside Police Authority to suspend Chief Constable David Westwood was upheld in the High Court on Friday 2 July. If Humberside Police Authority had carried out its legal duty when required to do so, there would have been no costs, as acknowledged by Mr. Justice Stanley Brunton at the High Court hearing on Friday 2 July. The Police Authority has been ordered to pay the Secretary of State the costs of these proceedings. The Secretary of State will be seeking full reimbursement of these costs, which will be either agreed between the parties or assessed by the court, in the normal way.

Bulgaria

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the consequences of the recent suspension of all immigration claims from Bulgaria in terms of freedom of movement;
	(2)  what the British policy is on applications for business visas from Bulgaria;
	(3)  whether the European Community Association Agreement applies to Bulgarian nationals.

Des Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement on the handling of European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) applicants made by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary on 17 June 2004.
	Bulgarian nationals are not nationals of a European Union member state and hence do not benefit from freedom of movement. They do, however, have privileged access to establishment rights by virtue of an Association Agreement with the European Union.
	The temporary suspension of the arrangements for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals making visa and immigration applications under managed migration schemes, including the self-employed under the Association Agreements, is a matter of regret. However, the Government believes that it was the only sensible course of action in the circumstances and crucial to public confidence in the integrity of the UK immigration system.
	Applications from self-employed Bulgarian nationals under the ECAA scheme remain suspended while the recommendations of the Button investigation are implemented and the new approach is put in place for the consideration of these applications.
	Applications from Bulgaria are currently accepted under all other immigration categories including business visitor, Innovator and the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.

CCTV (Warrington)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much public money has been spent on CCTV cameras in (a) Warrington as a whole and (b) Warrington, North constituency since 1997.

Hazel Blears: In 2001–02, the Home Office provided £31,700 to Warrington borough council towards the WATCH scheme (Warrington Action Towards Community Harmony), a borough-wide project for the supply of a mobile CCTV suite with equipment, which is deployed as necessary, including in the Warrington, North constituency.
	This money represents the only direct CCTV funding to Warrington, however crime reduction funding has been allocated to local Crime Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Basic Command Units to enable them to tackle local crime priorities using a number of interventions, including CCTV. Allocation of that funding locally is a matter for Warrington borough council and the Greater Manchester Police.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter dated 29 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Geoff Schofield, transferred to him from the Department for Transport.

David Blunkett: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 23 June.

Crime Reduction Projects (Warrington, North)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much public funding has been spent on crime reduction projects in Warrington, North in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Allocation of crime reduction funding is not broken down by constituency. However, money allocated overall to the Borough of Warrington for crime reduction through a number of funding streams and for a range of projects totals £1,218,877 over the period 2000–05. Figures before 2000 are not readily available.

Deaths in Custody

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have died in custody since 1974; in which institution each person was being held, and for what mental health condition or criminal offence; how many of those being detained for a criminal offence had been convicted of that offence; for what offences; and what the length of sentence was in each case.

Paul Goggins: Not all the information requested was collected or collated or is readily retrievable, particularly for the earlier years covered by this Question. I will write to my hon. Friend with as much information as officials from the Prison Service, Police, Immigration and Nationality Directorate and Department of Health can gather, within the bounds of proportionate cost.

Departmental Properties/Staff

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many properties are rented by his Department; and at what annual cost.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office is currently renting 1,327 properties at a total rent of £83.7 million per annum excluding VAT. This excludes premises that are not rented but taken under service agreements and those where costs are shared with other Government Departments where the other Department pays the rent.
	There are a variety of reasons for renting rather than purchasing offices, which includes cost, availability, sustainability and flexibility. Many leases are for parts of other buildings including accommodation at ports where purchase would not be a practical option.

Departmental Properties/Staff

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the accommodation of departmental staff who cannot be housed in the Marsham street building, with reference to the National Audit Office report "PFI: The New Headquarters for the Home Office".

Fiona Mactaggart: The National Audit Office Report "PFI: The New Headquarters for the Home Office" published last year noted that it was very unlikely that all core Home Office and Prison Service staff could be housed in 2 Marsham street. There are a number of issues under consideration including the impact of Home Office reform and the potential for relocation of staff including the Headquarters of the National Offender Management Service away from London and the South-East. Final decisions on the housing of staff in 2 Marsham Street when it is ready for occupation in January 2005 will be taken later this year.

Drug Treatment (Prisons)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) medical and (b) policy advice his Department gave to HM Inspector of Prisons in advance of her statement on drugs treatment in UK prisons.

Paul Goggins: None. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons has its own specialist health care and drug service inspectors, who are in contact with relevant Home Office, Prison Service and external expert bodies.

Drug Treatment (Prisons)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings have taken place between the Chief Inspector of Prisons and the National Treatment Agency to discuss drugs treatment in prison.

Paul Goggins: None. However, the Inspectorate's Head of Health Care Inspection has met with the National Treatment Agency on a number of occasions to discuss drug treatment in prisons.

Drug Treatment (Prisons)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings have taken place between the Chief Inspector of Prisons and the Royal College of General Practitioners to discuss drugs treatment.

Paul Goggins: None.

Drug Treatment (Prisons)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings have taken place between the Chief Inspector of Prisons and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

Paul Goggins: None.

Environmental Sustainability

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of electricity used by buildings in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies has come from renewable sources for each year from 1997 to date.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office has traditionally collected and reported its energy consumption and cost figures in two constituent parts: The prison estate and the non-prison estate. Good progress has been made in both areas, particularly in the non-prison estate. The proportion of renewable electricity used for both estates is as follows:
	
		Percentage
		
			  Non-prison Prison 
		
		
			 1996–97 0 0 
			 1997–98 0 0 
			 1998–99 0 0 
			 1999–2000 0 0 
			 2000–01 10 0 
			 2001–02 59 0 
			 2002–03 69 5 
			 2003–04 Not yet known 7 
		
	
	The non-prison figures relate to key buildings in the core Home Office, the Forensic Science Service and UK Passport Agency. The figures do not include any Home Office sponsored non departmental public bodies. To extract separate figures for the Forensic Science Service and UK Passport Agency could have been done only at a disproportionate cost.

Fireworks

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in tackling the issue of noisy night-time fireworks.

Hazel Blears: The Department for Trade and Industry launched a formal consultation on 23 April 2004, which details proposed Regulations to be made under the provisions of the Fireworks Act 2003. One of the proposed measures is to create a curfew on the use of fireworks between the hours of 11 pm to 7 am, with the exception of November 5, new years eve, Chinese new year and Diwali.

Graffiti

Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources are being provided to tackle graffiti in Bath and North East Somerset.

Hazel Blears: Whilst no specific funding is being provided by the Home Office to tackle graffiti in Bath and North Somerset, we have provided funding to every Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) to improve response to anti-social behaviour, including enviro-damage such as graffiti. This included Bath North East Somerset CDRP who received £25.000.
	I would also like to welcome the work that Bath Graffiti Partnership has undertaken to tackle graffiti and identify best practice. Furthermore we are currently piloting new powers that enable local authorities to issue clean-up notices to owners of 'street furniture' and public transport providers in 12 areas. This was commenced on 31 March, and we will look at wider rollout of these powers after evaluation of the pilots.

Mobile Phone Crime

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance the Department has issued to mobile telephone retailers on making customers aware of the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit registration service when buying new telephones.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office, police forces and the mobile phone industry work closely in partnership to tackle mobile phone theft as an important part of our Street Crime Initiative, which has delivered a 17 per cent. reduction in robbery in 2002–03 and further reductions in 2003–04. As part of this programme of work, the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit was established in December 2003.
	Over the past two months, the Unit, as part of its work, has piloted a phone register in four London boroughs. The register helps the police to return recovered lost or stolen mobile phones to their owner. The register can also be used by the police in operations to tackle mobile phone theft. We are now considering, with the police and the mobile phone industry, how to make best use of the register.

National Offender Management Service

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a risk assessment has been carried out into the implications of the National Offender Management Service.

Paul Goggins: As part of the setting up of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), a comprehensive risk management strategy has been established, providing for the assessment, monitoring and managing of risks across the Change Programme. Risk assessments are currently being undertaken at detail and strategic level, results from which are reported to the NOMS Board and to other governance bodies within the Home Office. The Change Programme will also be subject to a Gateway Review.

Police Crime Recording Practices

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms exist for the internal auditing of crime recording practices in the police to ensure that crimes are assigned to the appropriate offence category.

Hazel Blears: Decisions on assigning crimes to the appropriate crime category are governed by Home Office Counting Rules. In accordance with the National Crime Recording Standard, each force has appointed a Force Crime Registrar, with a range of duties that include ensuring that the Home Office counting rules are followed correctly, and developing audit programmes within their force.
	Police forces have been issued with guidance on how to perform self-audit of crime data. This covers the arrangements for managing crime recording and sets out how to make checks of casework, including classification of crime by offence category.
	Additionally, the Audit Commission is working in partnership with the Police Standards Unit to perform an external review of forces' compliance with crime recording rules. A report on the quality assurance of crime data is planned around the end of 2004.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

DNA Testing

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used to determine which applicants for entry clearance are required to undertake a DNA test.

Chris Mullin: DNA tests are not compulsory but can be used as a last resort in settlement applications where there is no reliable documentary evidence available to support the claimed relationship between the visa applicant and the sponsor. Guidance on DNA testing is available on the UKvisas website.

Nepal

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in Nepal.

Mike O'Brien: We regularly voice concern about violence and abuse against civilians by Government and Maoists in Nepal. At the 60th session of the Commission on Human Rights the UK helped secure a chairman's statement which called for improved human rights in Nepal and welcomed Nepal's formal commitment to achieve this. Through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool we provide human rights training for the Nepalese security forces, and support for the National Human Rights Commission and other human rights organisations.

Hong Kong

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his assessment of the political situation in Hong Kong.

Bill Rammell: The political situation in Hong Kong continues to be dominated by the debate about constitutional reform. Over the coming weeks the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is due to continue its consultation of the Hong Kong people and then come forward with proposals for constitutional development. It is important that there should be calm and open dialogue between all sections of Hong Kong opinion, the SAR Government and the central Government in Beijing on these reforms.

Horn of Africa

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in the Horn of Africa.

Chris Mullin: Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea are tense. The UK, bilaterally and with European Union partners, will continue to press Ethiopia to accept the Boundary Commission decision, which is final and binding, and to press Eritrea to participate in the comprehensive political dialogue proposed by the Secretary General's Special Envoy.

European Constitution

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the effect of the Constitutional Treaty on trade unions.

Denis MacShane: The EU Constitutional Treaty's social and employment policy provisions are largely unaltered when compared to previous treaties. Article I-47 specifically recognises the role of social partners, that is to say the representatives of employers and trade unions, at European Union level, and institutionalises the Tripartite Social Summit. The Government welcome the reaffirmation of the social dimension to the European Union which is why they signed the Social Chapter in 1997.

European Constitution

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2004, Official Report, column 429W, on the EU Constitution, if he will list those other areas of government activity which would remain wholly and exclusively the responsibility of the British Government; and where these areas are listed in official documents.

Denis MacShane: Article 1–9 of the Constitution makes it clear that competences not conferred upon the Union remain with the member states. The Constitution does not itself provide a list of those areas of government activity because it is a treaty between nation states, the purpose of which is to confer competences on the Union (as Article 1–1 of the Constitution makes clear) and not to list the powers which remain wholly and exclusively the responsibility of member states. All previous EU treaties have been the same in this respect.

Iraq

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the trial of Saddam Hussein.

Bill Rammell: Saddam Hussein was brought before an Iraqi investigative judge of the Central Criminal Court of Iraq on 30 June. He faced a range of charges dating back as far as 1974. The investigation process will now begin and proceedings will be transferred to the Iraq Special Tribunal.

Iran

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Iran.

Bill Rammell: The UK's relations with Iran are based on a policy of constructive, but critical and conditional, engagement. We aim to support Iranian efforts to reform, while making clear our serious concerns about Iran's policies in areas such as its nuclear programme, the fight on terrorism, human rights and attitude to the Middle East Peace Process.

Guantanamo Bay

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to secure the speedy return of Mr. Feroz Abbasi from Guantanamo Bay; and if he will make a statement on prospects for the return of Mr. Abbasi by early November.

Chris Mullin: The Government's discussions with the US authorities about the situation of the remaining four British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay, including Mr. Abbasi, are continuing. It would be artificial to set deadlines for the conclusion of our discussions.

Guantanamo Bay

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Solicitor-General's oral answer of 1 July 2004, Official Report, column 434, if the UK Government will seek the commencement of proceedings in the US courts in the case of the four UK citizens held without trial in Guantanamo Bay.

Chris Mullin: holding answer 6 July 2004
	Commencement of such proceedings is a matter for the four British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay and lawyers acting on their behalf.

Saudi Arabia

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being made to encourage the development of democracy in Saudi Arabia.

Chris Mullin: We are active in encouraging peaceful reform and change in Saudi Arabia, including through discussion with the Saudi Government and have a bilateral programme of activities.
	The UK was also instrumental in promoting the recently agreed G8 Plan of Support for the region and in developing a new EU strategy of assistance for change and modernisation throughout the region.

Africa (Great Lakes)

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political situation in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

Chris Mullin: We remain concerned by the situation in the Great Lakes region. Relations between the DRC and Rwanda remain tense. During my visit to the region in June, I urged all sides to sustain their support for the peace process and to resolve their differences through dialogue and confidence-building measures. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Secretary of State for International Development have spoken and written similarly to Presidents Kagame and Kabila.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Article III 157(3) of the proposed European Constitution will apply to Diego Garcia.

Denis MacShane: No.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  when he will reply to the letter to him dated 25 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Farida Begum;
	(2)  when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 25 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Farida Begum.

Chris Mullin: I apologise for the delay in replying. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary sent a reply on 8 July.

Correspondence

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask UKvisas to reply to the letter dated 26 May from the hon. Member for Aylesbury about Mr. M of Zimbabwe (case reference numbers TH/M4527/001 and M1196661).

Chris Mullin: Ukvisas replied to the hon. Member on 8 July. I apologise for the delay.

Corruption Convention

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has (a) to ratify the UN Convention against Corruption and (b) to seek to join the Conference of State Parties; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce) on 27 May 2004, Official Report, column 1761W.
	The UK will become a member of the Conference of State Parties automatically once it has ratified the Convention.

Eritrea

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Eritrea on promoting a dialogue with Ethiopia on the distribution of land following the Boundary Commission's recommendations.

Chris Mullin: I met Eritrean President Isaias in Asmara on 15 January and urged him to engage in a dialogue with Ethiopia on all of the issues separating the two countries. The EU presidency has reiterated this message, both directly and in writing, over the last six months.

Eritrea

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the account the Boundary Commission of Ethiopia and Eritrea took of the human geography of the region in drawing the final border.

Chris Mullin: The Government are satisfied that the Boundary Commission fulfilled the mandate that it was given and that its decision is final and binding on both Ethiopia and Eritrea. There is, however, nothing to stop the parties from agreeing to amend the boundary to take account of realities on the ground, providing they both agree.

Hague Convention

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the depositing by all EU states at the same time of their instruments of ratification of the 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction Applicable Law Recognition Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children is not prevented by differences between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The Government fully supports the ratification of the 1996 Hague Convention by all EU member states. That process is currently on hold because Spain has questioned the arrangements for communications under this convention with competent authorities in Gibraltar. The Government are eager to overcome this obstacle, but any way forward must respect the arrangements relating to Gibraltar authorities in the context of EU and EC instruments and related treaties which were agreed between the UK and Spain in April 2000.

PRIME MINISTER

Baronetcy

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy not to recommend to Her Majesty the Queen the creation of hereditary baronetcies.

Tony Blair: No. However, no hereditary baronetcies have been recommended since 1991.

Youth Parliament

Charles Hendry: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet representatives of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament.

Tony Blair: I have no current plans to do so.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Attitude Surveys

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), of 23 June 2004, Official Report, columns 1438–40W, on attitude surveys, if he will place in the Library a list of the questions on the Public Perception of Child Support and the Child Support Agency that were included in the Office for National Statistics Omnibus Survey in March.

Chris Pond: A full list of the questions on Public Perceptions of Child Support and the Child Support Agency as included in the March 2004 Office for National Statistics Omnibus Survey will be published in the DWP report on the survey's findings. The report will be published in early Autumn 2004.

Child Support (Driving Licence Removal)

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the cost of enforcing the removal of driving licences from non-compliant non-resident parents under the provisions introduced by the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. David Willetts, dated 13 July 2004
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his department has made of the cost of enforcing the removal of driving licences from non-compliant non-resident parents under the provisions introduced by the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.
	I am unable to disaggregate the costs for removing driving licences from people who fail to pay child support from the Agency's overall administration costs, as this information is not available. I can however say that in the year to 31 March 2004 the Agency deployed around 200 staff on its more complex enforcement work at a direct cost of approximately £3.6 million.

Filestore (Nelson)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people working at the Department's filestore in Nelson have indicated a preference for redeployment within the civil service rather than transfer to Capita on 1 August; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Of the 97 staff currently employed at the site, there are 10 remaining who have indicated a preference for redeployment within the civil service rather than transfer to Capita on 1 August. Efforts are continuing to find suitable positions for those who wish to remain within the civil service, however Capita have indicated that they would expect to have long-term employment opportunities for all of those who transfer to them in August.

Income Support

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Government plans to remove the limit on hours for education and unwaged training in income support.

Chris Pond: Full-time students (those studying for 16 hours or more) will normally access financial support through the education system and we have no plans to change this. In certain limited circumstances a student may be eligible for income support; for example if they are a lone parent or they are disabled.
	Any customer who satisfies the qualifying conditions for income support and is classed as undertaking education or unwaged training would not be subject to a limit on the number of hours that they participate in such activities.

Income Support

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Government plans to remove the distinction between education and unwaged training in the eligibility for income support.

Chris Pond: People undertaking full time education will normally access financial support through the education system, which provides, for example, Student Loans and Access Funds in order to meet everyday living expenses.
	Unwaged training is usually work focused and is available through a variety of service providers. The funding for these providers only covers provision for training and does not include financial support for the trainee, in which case income support is available for eligible people.
	The distinction between this form of training and full time education for the purposes of income support reflects the access to alternative financial support that people in education have and we have no plans to change this.

Jobcentre Plus

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the progress of developing Jobcentre Plus in Cumbria.

Jane Kennedy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from David Anderson to Dr. Jack Cunningham, dated 13 July 2004
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the progress of developing Jobcentre Plus in Cumbria. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	I am pleased to tell you that Cumbria District is part of the 2003/2004 Roll-Out Programme and by October 2004, Cumbria District will be operating a full range of Jobcentre Plus services.
	Cumbria currently has a full range of face to face services established in Carlisle, Maryport, Workington, Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth, Cleator Moor, Millom, Ulverston, Kendal and Barrow. The joint Private Finance Initiative with Copeland Borough Council is on target to provide Whitehaven with a new Jobcentre Plus office in October 2004.
	The plan for Jobcentre Plus in Cumbria has included the closure of the former Jobcentre sites in Kendal and Windermere. However, a new Jobcentre Plus site was opened in Kendal on 19 April 2004. Customers from Windermere still have access to Jobcentre Plus services by the provision of a Jobpoint and Customer Access Phones based within Ambleside Library.
	I have asked the acting District Manager for Cumbria Jobcentre Plus to keep you informed of progress.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobcentre Plus

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of (a) the initial start-up costs and (b) ongoing administration costs, broken down by (i) paybill and (ii) other at the Jobcentre Plus Dundee call centre.

Jane Kennedy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Boris Johnson, dated 13 July 2004
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the initial start up costs and ongoing administration costs at the Jobcentre Plus Dundee Contact Centre. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	In answer to your specific question, building work is still ongoing within the site and the current estimate of start-up costs are £2.327m. The ongoing full-year administration costs are estimated to be in the region of £2.818m for the pay bill and £0.745m for other costs.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of recipients of (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) income support, (c) incapacity benefit and (d) severe disablement allowance who found work made a subsequent claim for one of those benefits in the following six months broken down by (i) all adults, (ii) adults aged 16 to 24, (iii) adults aged 25 to 49 and (iv) adults aged 50 years to state pension age in the last period for which figures are available.

Chris Pond: The available information is in the tables.
	
		People leaving jobseeker's allowance, incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance on finding work, March 2002 to February 2003 -- Thousand
		
			  Number of claimants ending their claim to 
			  Jobseeker's allowance Incapacity benefit Severe disablement allowance 
		
		
			 All ages 746.1 23.5 0.6 
			 Claimant aged 16–24 231.0 0.9 (8)0.1 
			 Claimant aged 25–49 413.6 13.3 0.5 
			 Claimant aged 50 and over 101.5 9.3 — 
		
	
	
		Proportion of people returning to benefit within six months of ending a previous claim, March 2002 to February 2003 -- Percentage
		
			  People returning to benefit within six months of ending their claim to 
			  Jobseeker's allowance Incapacity benefit Severe disablement allowance 
		
		
			 All ages 37.6 16.8 (8)16.7 
			 Claimant aged 16–24 43.1 (8)23.3 n/a 
			 Claimant aged 25–49 35.6 15.9 (8)16.0 
			 Claimant aged 50 and over 33.3 17.4 n/a 
		
	
	
		Persons leaving income support by age group, March 2002 to February 2003
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 All ages 884,900 
			 16–24 135,800 
			 25–49 409,500 
			 50 and over 339,600 
		
	
	
		Proportion of people leaving income support who return to IS, JSA, IB or SPA within six months by age group, March 2002 to February 2003
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 All ages 31.1 
			 16–24 43.5 
			 25–49 37.9 
			 50 and over 18.0 
		
	
	n/a = Percentage is not applicable, as at least one of the corresponding caseloads is nil or negligible.
	(8) Numbers are based on very few sample cases and will be subject to a high degree of sampling variation.
	Notes:
	1. Caseload figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands. Percentages are given to one decimal place.
	2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. These figures should be used as a guide to the current situation only.
	3. JSA figures are based on persons who were receiving Income-based or contribution-based JSA when their claim terminated. National Insurance credits only cases are not included.
	4. JSA numbers show the number of people who have left JSA on finding work, working on average 16 hours per week or more, and on taking up the New Deal Employers Option.
	5. Incapacity benefit figures are based on persons receiving either long-term or short-term incapacity benefit, and exclude credits only cases.
	6. Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance terminations shown are those recorded as "returning to work" and therefore figures may not directly correspond to those finding work.
	7. All income support terminations are shown as the reason for leaving benefit is not known.
	8. A person is counted only once in each period, regardless of the number of times they claim and subsequently leave each benefit.
	9. Age is given at the point the claim terminates.
	10. End dates of IS claims are not collected, therefore the claim end dates for IS claimants are estimated. Persons returning within six months will therefore be a six month period from the estimated end date.
	11. "—" signifies nil or negligible.

Ministerial Air Travel

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list for each year since 1997 the number of miles flown by each Minister on official departmental business.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	However, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information reaching back to 1995–96. Information for 2003–04 is currently being assembled and will be published shortly. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Library.

Ministerial Air Travel

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost of air travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain was for (a) Ministers and (b) staff in his Department in the latest year for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: For the latest year available (2003–04) there was no ministerial travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. In the same year the total cost for departmental staff travel, between these two locations, was £230,269.50.
	Since 1999, the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information reaching back to 1995–96. Information for 2003–04 is currently being assembled and will be published shortly. All ministerial and civil service travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers, and Civil Service Management Code, copies of which are available in the Library.

National Insurance Numbers

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on issuing national insurance numbers to people who have (a) entered the country illegally, (b) overstayed their permitted time and (c) not been granted indefinite leave to remain.

Chris Pond: The allocation of a national insurance number (NINO) is dependent upon certain employment and benefit-related criteria. An individual resident in the UK must register for a NINO if they have never registered before, are aged 16 or over, are employed and/or self employed, or are not employed but wish to be and would benefit from paying class 3 voluntary contributions.
	Possession of a NINO does not constitute proof of the right to work, and the onus for establishing right to work rests with employers. The 1996 Asylum and Immigration Act prohibits the use of illegal migrant labour and requires employers to carry out certain specified document checks on prospective employees. The NINO is only acceptable as evidence of entitlement to work if produced in combination with other specified documents. Alternatively, job applicants can demonstrate their entitlement to work by producing specified secure documentation, such as the British passport, EEA passports and other foreign passports endorsed to show the holder can work in the UK.
	We have well established processes in place to notify Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate where it becomes apparent that an individual requesting a NINO has immigration restrictions. This process protects the benefit systems from undue loss when a person's immigration status excludes the right to access public funds and provides the Immigration Service with up to date information on the individual.

National Insurance Numbers

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of inaccurate national insurance numbers in the NINO database;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the progress of data cleansing in the national insurance number database;
	(3)  how many false national insurance numbers have been discovered by his Department in each year since 1997.

Chris Pond: The Department continually monitors the national insurance number (NINO) system to ensure its integrity and improve its accuracy.
	We have made no estimate of the current number of inaccurate NINOs held on the Departmental Central Index (DCI). In 2001, the Department completed an analysis of the DCI database to improve its integrity and, as a result, over 200,000 duplicate NINOs were removed from the system. The process of analysing our databases to identify and remove inaccurate, duplicate and fraudulent NINOs has continued as part of our commitment to reduce fraud and error.
	Information about the number of cases of false NINOs discovered by this Department is not available as data is not collated centrally.

National Insurance Numbers

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance numbers on the Departmental Central Index related to people (a) now deceased, (b) who live abroad and receive no benefits, (c) who live abroad and receive benefits and (d) aged under 16 years in each year since 1992.

Chris Pond: Information about how many national insurance numbers on the Departmental Central Index (DCI) are related to people who live abroad, whether or not they receive benefits, is not collated centrally. However, analysis carried out in 2003 indicates that there are about 5.5 million accounts relating to individuals who live abroad but are not in receipt of benefit, and about 1 million accounts for individuals who live abroad and are in receipt of benefit.
	The available information about the number of records relating to deceased people, and persons under 16 years of age is in the tables.
	
		Records relating to deceased people on the Departmental Central Index
		
			  Date Number or records people relating to deceased (million) 
		
		
			 July 2002 14 
			 September 2003 14.5 
			 March 2004 15 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Recent analysis indicates that there are a further 1.5 million accounts relating to deceased persons but where the date of death is not recorded on DCI.
	2. Information relating to deceased records is only available from July 2002.
	Source:
	Departmental Central Index.
	
		Number of child reference numbers allocated 1992–2003
		
			  Number allocated 
		
		
			 1992 8,914,206 
			 1993 2,935,916 
			 1994 824,127 
			 1995 784,349 
			 1996 757,768 
			 1997 746,190 
			 1998 716,786 
			 1999 702,221 
			 2000 681,562 
			 2001 657,224 
			 2002 628,887 
			 2003 661,860 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Accounts on DCI for those under 16 are referred to as child reference numbers.
	2. Child reference numbers were introduced in 1992.
	Source:
	Departmental Central Index.

New Deal

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals have benefited from the (a) New Deal for Young People, (b) New Deal 25 plus, (c) New Deal 50 plus, (d) New Deal for Disabled People, (e) New Deal for Lone Parents, (f) New Deal for Partners, (g) New Deal: self-employment and (h) New Deal for Musicians in (i) Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale, (ii) the Scottish Borders region and (iii) Scotland in each year since the introduction of each; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The available information is in the tables.
	
		Numbers helped into work through the New Deal—Scotland
		
			  Starts Jobs 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People(9)   
			 1998 13,940 5,720 
			 1999 14,310 11,960 
			 2000 12,960 11,160 
			 2001 13,380 9,170 
			 2002 15,870 9,050 
			 2003 19,390 9,030 
			 2004 5,190 2,150 
			 Total 95,030 58,250 
			
			 New Deal 25 plus(10)   
			 1998 3,280 540 
			 1999 7,090 2,140 
			 2000 6,840 2,550 
			 2001 11,050 3,640 
			 2002 12,580 5,230 
			 2003 12,290 5,070 
			 2004 2,970 1,120 
			 Total 56,110 20,290 
			
			 New Deal for Lone Parents(11)   
			 1998 660 240 
			 1999 6,360 3,740 
			 2000 5,930 4,500 
			 2001 7,760 5,100 
			 2002 10,960 6,520 
			 2003 14,890 6,900 
			 2004 4,860 1,800 
			 Total 51,410 28,810 
			
			 New Deal 50 plus(12)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — 3,170 
			 2001 — 4,180 
			 2002 — 4,040 
			 2003 — 780 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — 12,180 
			
			 New Deal for Disabled People(13)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — — 
			 2001 310 40 
			 2002 2,720 1,030 
			 2003 3,610 2,410 
			 2004 920 640 
			 Total 7,560 4,110 
			
			 New Deal for Partners(14)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 220 30 
			 2000 380 60 
			 2001 350 110 
			 2002 150 60 
			 2003 140 30 
			 2004 40 10 
			 Total 1,280 310 
			
			 New Deal for Musicians(15)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 160 70 
			 2000 330 120 
			 2001 400 110 
			 2002 360 50 
			 2003 340 40 
			 2004 50 10 
			 Total 1,640 390 
			 Self-employment 8   
			 1998 170 — 
			 1999 160 — 
			 2000 380 — 
			 2001 610 — 
			 2002 800 — 
			 2003 430 — 
			 2004 20 — 
			 Total 2,560 — 
		
	
	
		Numbers helped into work through the New Deal—Scottish Borders local authority
		
			  Starts Jobs 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People(9)   
			 1998 190 90 
			 1999 270 210 
			 2000 190 180 
			 2001 190 140 
			 2002 250 150 
			 2003 220 140 
			 2004 60 30 
			 Total 1,360 930 
			
			 New Deal 25 plus(10)   
			 1998 30 10 
			 1999 60 30 
			 2000 60 40 
			 2001 180 60 
			 2002 140 60 
			 2003 110 40 
			 2004 30 10 
			 Total 620 240 
			
			 New Deal for Lone Parents(11)   
			 1998 10 10 
			 1999 110 70 
			 2000 100 80 
			 2001 170 100 
			 2002 190 120 
			 2003 260 130 
			 2004 50 30 
			 Total 880 530 
			
			 New Deal 50 plus(12)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — 90 
			 2001 — 90 
			 2002 — 80 
			 2003 — 10 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — 270 
			
			 New Deal for Disabled People(17)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — — 
			 2001 — — 
			 2002 — — 
			 2003 — — 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — — 
			
			 New Deal for Partners(17)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — — 
			 2001 — — 
			 2002 — — 
			 2003 — — 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — — 
			 New Deal for Musicians(17)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — — 
			 2001 — — 
			 2002 — — 
			 2003 — — 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — — 
			
			 Self-employment 8   
			 1998 10 — 
			 1999 0 — 
			 2000 10 — 
			 2001 10 — 
			 2002 10 — 
			 2003 0 — 
			 2004 0 — 
			 Total 30 — 
		
	
	
		Numbers helped into work through the New Deal—Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale parliamentary constituency
		
			  Starts Jobs 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People(9)   
			 1998 110 50 
			 1999 140 120 
			 2000 110 100 
			 2001 90 80 
			 2002 140 80 
			 2003 100 60 
			 2004 40 20 
			 Total 730 500 
			
			 New Deal 25 plus(10)   
			 1998 20 0 
			 1999 30 20 
			 2000 30 10 
			 2001 90 30 
			 2002 60 40 
			 2003 60 20 
			 2004 20 10 
			 Total 300 120 
			
			 New Deal for Lone Parents(11)   
			 1998 0 0 
			 1999 90 50 
			 2000 60 60 
			 2001 90 60 
			 2002 120 70 
			 2003 190 100 
			 2004 40 20 
			 Total 600 380 
			
			 New Deal 50 plus(12)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — 30 
			 2001 — 40 
			 2002 — 40 
			 2003 — 10 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — 120 
			
			 New Deal for Disabled People(17)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — — 
			 2001 — — 
			 2002 — — 
			 2003 — — 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — — 
			 New Deal for Partners(17)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — — 
			 2001 — — 
			 2002 — — 
			 2003 — — 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — — 
			
			 New Deal for Musicians(17)   
			 1998 — — 
			 1999 — — 
			 2000 — — 
			 2001 — — 
			 2002 — — 
			 2003 — — 
			 2004 — — 
			 Total — — 
			
			 Self-employment 8   
			 1998 10 — 
			 1999 0 — 
			 2000 10 — 
			 2001 0 — 
			 2002 0 — 
			 2003 0 — 
			 2004 0 — 
			 Total 20 — 
		
	
	(9) New Deal for Young People data is from January 1998.
	(10) New Deal 25 plus data is from July 1998.
	(11) New Deal for Lone Parents data is from October 1998.
	(12) New Deal 50 plus data is from April 2000 and relates to people who have started work through New Deal 50 plus and received the Employment Credit.
	(13) New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) data is from July 2001 and starts relate to registrations with an NDDP job broker.
	(14) New Deal for Partners data is from May 1999.
	(15) New Deal for Musicians data is from August 1999.
	(16) There is no separate New Deal for Self-employment. Self-employment figures are for New Deal for Young People, New Deal 25 plus and New Deal 50 plus and are for people who have received advice and guidance on self-employment, or started self-employment test trading. Information on access to self-employment help for other programmes is not available.
	(17) Data is not available at local authority or parliamentary constituency level for New Deal for Disabled People, New Deal for Partners and New Deal for Musicians.
	Notes:
	1. All data is to March 2004 apart from New Deal for Musicians which is to February 2004 and New Deal 50 plus which is to March 2003.
	2. All data relates to individuals apart from New Deal for Partners data which relates to the number of starts to the programme.
	3. Totals may not sum as figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Information and Analysis Directorate

New Deal

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in (a) Copeland and (b) Cumbria have benefited from the New Deal for Lone Parents since its introduction; what the rate of take-up is; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Through the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help lone parents improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work.
	The New Deal runs alongside other measures helping lone parents into work and making work pay. These include our National Childcare Strategy, the lone parent's benefit run-on, the child tax credit and the working tax credit (including the childcare tax credit).
	610 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in the parliamentary constituency of Copeland since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, of whom, 320 have gained a job. Since the introduction of Work-Focused Interviews in April 2001, 16 per cent. of women attending a Work Focused Interview in Copeland went on to join the New Deal for Lone Parents.
	Since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, 2,750 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in the Jobcentre Plus district of Cumbria, of these 1,530 have gained a job. Since the introduction of Work-Focused Interviews in April 2001, 17 per cent. of women attending a Work Focused Interview in Cumbria have gone on to join the New Deal for Lone Parents.

Pension Credit

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the rate of take-up of pension credit is in (a) Copeland, (b) Cumbria and (c) the UK; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many pensioners in (a) Copeland and (b) Cumbria he estimates have gained as a result of pension credit; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on numbers of households eligible for pension credit is not available at county or constituency level. However, we estimate that approximately 3.75 million households in Great Britain and approximately 500,000 households in the north west region (rounded to the nearest 50,000) are likely to be eligible for pension credit in 2004–05. Information on the numbers of pension credit recipients and people gaining as a result of pension credit is given in the following table. Those gaining are defined as recipients of the savings element of pension credit, plus those recipients of the guarantee element only who were not previously claiming minimum income guarantee and who were aged 60 prior to 6 October 2003.
	We have now published a review of the pension credit campaign to the end of May 2004. This shows that pension credit is playing a vital role in helping to give more money to the people who need it most. Over three million pensioners are now benefiting, with over 2.2 million individuals receiving more money than they did before. The review has been placed in the Library.
	
		Pension credit recipients and gainers in Copeland, Cumbria and Great Britain, 31 May 2004 1
		
			  Households Individuals Households gaining(19) Individuals gaining(19) 
		
		
			 Great Britain 2,496,970 3,028,390 1,833,690 2,217,125 
			 Copeland parliamentary constituency 2,950 3,585 2,260 2,735 
			 Cumbria local authority 20,270 24,265 16,245 19,375 
		
	
	(18) Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	(19) 'Gainers' are defined as (a) recipients of the savings element of pension credit plus (b) those recipients of the guarantee element only who were not previously claiming MIG and who were aged 60 prior to 6 October 2003.

Sanctions Database

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the total cost to his Department of establishing the Sanctions Database;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the progress of the Sanctions Database; when he expects it to be fully operational; and when he expects to be able to publish findings arising from it.

Chris Pond: The Sanctions Database is currently in development and a prototype database is now being tested and analysed. After the initial release the database will be continuously developed to meet future analytical needs.
	Total development costs are not available but it is estimated that they will be less than £100,000.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Asylum Seekers

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding was made available by his Department for the care of asylum seekers in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: The National Asylum Support Service provides support, accommodation and financial help for asylum seekers, including those residing in Northern Ireland, whilst their claim is being considered by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office. My hon. Friend the Minister for Immigration has advised me that figures are not held on a regional basis.
	Details of funding for the care of immigration detainees are not recorded separately by the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Chief Constable

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what restrictions are placed (a) in law and (b) operationally on the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland making public political statements.

Ian Pearson: The general functions of the Chief Constable are in accordance with the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 as amended by the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003. There are no restrictions placed either in law or operationally on him making public statements.

Civil Service (Industrial Action)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days each department, agency and non-departmental public body in Northern Ireland has been affected by industrial action since the start of the current dispute involving the Civil Service trade unions; how many man-hours were lost as a result of that industrial action; and what the cost was of that lost time.

Ian Pearson: Since the start of the current dispute involving civil service trade unions, departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland, up to 24 June 2004, have been subject to a total of 522 days of industrial action with 315,242 staff-hours lost. A breakdown of the figures for each department, agency and non-departmental public body is as follows. Information on the cost of the lost time is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Department Core/Agency/NDPB Industrial action days Staff hours lost 
		
		
			 Agriculture and Rural Development Department Core 47 39,834 
			  NI Fishery Harbour Authority None None 
			  Livestock Marketing Commission None None 
			  Agricultural Research Institute for NI 1 33 
			  Rivers Agency 6 1,369 
			  Forest Service 6 733 
			 Culture, Arts and Leisure Department Core 5 962.7 
			  Ordnance Survey NI 5 1,890.87 
			  Public Records Office NI 5 717.8 
			 Education Department Core 58 19,097.38 
			 Enterprise and Learning Department Core 67 39,787 
			  Labour Relations Agency 7 1,876 
			  Construction Industry Training Board None None 
			  Enterprise Ulster None None 
			  Ulster Supported Employment Ltd. None None 
			 Enterprise, Trade and Investment Department Core 5 2,970 
			  Health and Safety Executive NI 2 104 
			  Invest NI 2 682 
			  General Consumer Council 2 111 
			  Invest NI (Non-NICS) 3 458.7 
			  NI Tourist Board 3 565.5 
			 Finance and Personnel Department Core 5 8,296.6 
			  Valuation and Lands Agency 5 1,978.4 
			  BDS 9 1,505.2 
			  Rate Collection Agency 19 7,676.2 
			  Land Registers of NI 5 1,650.4 
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety Department Core 40 7,610.08 
			  Health Estates Agency 2 192.24 
			  Mental Health Commission None None 
			 Environment Department Core 5 1,007 
			  Driver and Vehicle Licensing NI 36 8,872 
			  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency 53 12,399 
			  Environment and Heritage Service 9 2,095 
			  Planning Service 5 6,133 
			  NDPBs None None 
			 Regional Development Department Core 5 16,505 
			 Social Development Department Core 6 2,117 
			  Social Security Agency 63 105,175 
			  Child Support Agency 10 18.993 
			 Northern Ireland Office Department Core 5 158.96 
			  Compensation Agency 4 55.41 
			  Forensic Science Agency 2 42.11 
			  Youth Justice Agency 1 1 
			  NI Prison Service 5 764 
			 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister Department Core 4 823.25 
			  NDPBs None None 
			 Total  522 315,241.8

Foreign Criminals

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent reports he has received of foreign criminal groups and organisations operating in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to the Triads.

Ian Pearson: As Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force, I receive regular briefings from the partner agencies on the progress being made in tackling organised criminal groups that operate in Northern Ireland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is currently pursuing a number of investigations into alleged criminal groupings, including those from ethnic minorities.

Government Spending

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Government spending has been in Northern Ireland, broken down by (a) Department and (b) district council over the past 10 years.

Ian Pearson: The introduction of Devolution in 1999 involved the restructuring of Northern Ireland Departments, and an increase in number from six to 11. In addition, from 2000–01 public spending has been recorded on a resource basis, as opposed to the previous cash basis. It is not possible, therefore, to provide details of spend by Northern Ireland Departments over the last 10 years on a consistent basis. Allocations to departments are set within Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) and the following table (table A) shows DEL spending for NI Departments for the period 2000–01 to 2002–03, the latest year for which details of final spend are available.
	In respect of district councils, expenditure is not held on record for the years 1994–95 to 1996–97. Table B shows the net expenditure for each of the 26 Northern Ireland district councils for the period 1997–98 to 2002–03.
	
		Table A: Northern Ireland departmental spending in DEL for the period 2000–01 to 2002–03 -- £ million
		
			 Department 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Agriculture and Rural Development 192.5 199.4 202.0 
			 Culture, Arts and Leisure 70.6 75.3 87.3 
			 Education 1,255.2 1,338.7 1,461.3 
			 Employment and Learning 532.8 537.6 571.0 
			 Enterprise, Trade and Investment 251.0 281.3 213.0 
			 Finance and Personnel 103.9 131.7 130.5 
			 Health, Social Services and Public  Safety 2,151.0 2,293.9 2,568.4 
			 Environment 87.1 92.8 105.5 
			 Regional Development 444.2 499.3 564.7 
			 Social Development 395.0 404.9 419.3 
			 Office of the First Minister and  Deputy First Minister 27.7 33.2 37.0 
			 Total 5,510.9 5,888.2 6,360.3 
		
	
	
		Table B: Net expenditure of NI district councils for the period 1997–98 to 2002–03 -- £ million
		
			 District council 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Antrim 6.0 6.5 6.8 7.4 8.3 8.8 
			 Ards 8.3 8.7 9.4 10.8 10.5 11.9 
			 Armagh 6.3 6.9 8.0 8.3 9.2 10.1 
			 Ballymena 6.1 6.8 6.9 8.2 9.6 10.8 
			 Ballymoney 3.4 3.4 3.8 3.6 4.0 4.2 
			 Banbridge 4.3 5.0 5.3 5.8 6.5 7.2 
			 Belfast 59.4 60.1 66.9 68.5 67.9 75.5 
			 Carrickfergus 4.7 5.1 5.3 6.4 6.8 6.8 
			 Castlereagh 6.4 6.5 7.9 8.6 8.6 10.2 
			 Coleraine 5.9 7.1 8.3 8.9 9.1 9.5 
			 Cookstown 3.2 3.6 3.7 4.2 4.6 4.9 
			 Craigavon 10.5 11.6 12.1 12.0 13.4 14.7 
			 Derry 15.7 16.8 17.0 18.1 19.4 19.6 
			 Down 8.3 8.0 9.2 10.0 10.5 11.2 
			 Dungannon 4.5 4.8 5.6 5.8 6.1 6.7 
			 Fermanagh 5.7 5.9 6.9 6.9 7.3 8.2 
			 Larne 4.1 4.6 4.8 5.0 5.2 5.3 
			 Limavady 3.5 3.7 4.2 4.6 5.3 4.8 
			 Lisburn 11.6 12.4 13.6 13.3 15.6 17.0 
			 Magherafelt 4.1 4.4 4.7 5.2 5.3 5.6 
			 Moyle 1.9 2.2 2.0 2.5 3.4 3.2 
			 Newry and Mourne 10.4 11.6 13.1 13.5 18.1 16.9 
			 Newtownabbey 10.9 11.4 13.2 14.2 15.0 15.5 
			 North Down 10.6 10.5 12.9 13.4 12.6 13.6 
			 Omagh 6.1 6.1 6.8 7.2 7.5 7.9 
			 Strabane 4.5 4.6 4.9 5.2 5.9 6.2 
			 Total 226.7 238.0 263.4 277.5 295.7 316.3

Murder Investigation (Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the investigation into the murders of Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine near Tandragee, County Armagh, on 19 February 2000.

Ian Pearson: Police are actively pursuing lines of enquiry into this live murder investigation and will continue their efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

"Planning for Housing"

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place the responses to the consultation paper "Planning for Housing" in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing (PPG3) was published in March 2000. The responses to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to the consultation draft of PPG3 were made available in the Library of the House on 24 June 1999.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is finalising the proposed updates to PPG3 titled "Influencing the size, type and affordability of housing" and "Supporting the delivery of new housing" in the light of the responses to the consultation exercise undertaken last year. The aim is to publish the updates to PPG3 in the autumn, at which time the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will make copies of the responses available in the Library of the House. In accordance with current practice, a list of those responses will also be made available in the Library of the House.

Car Parking

Christopher Chope: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many off-street car parking spaces have been provided in (a) new housing developments, (b) new office developments and (c) other commercial developments in England in each of the last five years.

Keith Hill: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Commercial/Industrial Land

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what process the protections afforded to land that has been identified as possessing a possible commercial or industrial use can be overturned; and what his role is in the process.

Keith Hill: The protection afforded to land that has been identified as possessing a possible commercial or industrial use is primarily given through its allocation in a development plan. Planning applications should be decided in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. It is therefore possible that planning permission can be given for another use if material considerations are deemed to outweigh the status of the development plan in a specific case.
	This is primarily a matter for local planning authorities, as they have a duty to produce a development plan, and decide planning applications accordingly. The First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister may intervene in the development plan process, and to call-in individual planning applications for his own decision if the circumstances of the case warrant this.

Commercial/Industrial Land

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what protections are afforded to land that has been earmarked as possessing potential (a) industrial, (b) commercial and (c) other use;
	(2)  what process land that has a potential (a) industrial and (b) commercial use is identified;
	(3)  how much land is protected by statute due to it having been identified as having a possible industrial or commercial use; and how much of this land is being developed for a commercial or industrial use.

Keith Hill: Land that may possess a possible industrial or commercial use is primarily identified through its allocation in a development plan. Local planning authorities have a duty to produce a development plan for their area, allocating sites for a range of land uses. Planning applications should be decided in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
	The allocation of sites for such uses will often match the location of existing development, or sites that have previously been in this use, but are currently vacant. New sites may also be identified and allocated where it is apparent that there is market demand, ideally in consultation with the private sector.
	There are no statistics held centrally for how much land has been allocated, and developed accordingly, for specific land uses. This could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Development Fund Bids

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the identity of (a) villages, (b) towns and (c) cities which have had a bid for development funds (i) turned down and (ii) granted by the Housing Corporation is confidential.

Keith Hill: The Housing Corporation publishes, on its website, a list of all allocations of Social Housing Grant funding through the Approved Development Programme. Details of unsuccessful bids are regarded as commercially confidential and are not published.

Government Estate (Renewable Energy)

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of electricity used by buildings in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies has come from renewable sources for each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: Since the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed in May 2002, the total proportion of electricity used by buildings in the (a) the office and (b) its agencies that has come from renewable sources for each year is as follows.
	
		Percentage
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 (a) ODPM (including Government offices) 40 42 
			 (b) Agencies 11 15 
		
	
	Although the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has overall responsibility for the buildings occupied by Government offices, they carry out functions on behalf of 10 Departments.

Government Estate (Sustainable Development)

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what have been identified as the most significant sustainable development impacts in relation to the operation of his Department's estate pursuant to the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has identified the following as the most significant sustainable development impacts in relation to the operation of the ODPM estate;
	the emissions associated with the generation of the energy;
	the types and disposal methods of the various wastes;
	the emissions attributed to business related transport;
	the amount and types of refrigerants;
	the amount of water and its associated waste;
	and the goods that procured.
	In the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's primarily office based estate, the significance of an impact is determined by the likelihood of its occurrence and the severity of its effect upon the environment. Impacts can have positive effects upon the environment, as well as detrimental ones.

Green Belt

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements are in place for the replacement of buildings within the green belt that are removed due to safety reasons.

Keith Hill: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 19 April 2004, Official Report, column 349W.

Green Belt

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  by what process it is determined that an area of land (a) should be taken within the green belt and (b) no longer constitutes part of the green belt;
	(2)  what power of intervention he possesses to overturn the designation of an area of land as (a) constituting and (b) not constituting part of the green belt.

Keith Hill: The procedure for establishing green belts is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 2. The need for new green belts should be considered through the Regional Spatial Strategy process. Once that need has been established, precise boundaries should be set in Development Plan Documents. If a local planning authority proposes to establish a new green belt, it should demonstrate why normal planning and development control policies would not be adequate, and whether any major changes in circumstances have made the adoption of this exceptional measure necessary. It should also show what the consequences of the proposal would be for sustainable development.
	Where Development Plan Documents are being revised and updated, existing green belt boundaries should not be changed unless alterations to the structure plan have been approved, or other exceptional circumstances exist, which necessitate such revision. Such changes would need to be subject to the formal procedures for taking forward a Development Plan Document, including the need for consultation and statutory right for anyone to make a formal objection to the proposals.
	My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's statutory role in the development plan process, (which is set out in planning legislation), enables him to object to policies in plans, to direct modifications to plans, and to call-in applications that are not in accordance with national planning policy.

Green Belt

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what statutory protection is provided to land that is located within the green belt.

Keith Hill: The only legislation that deals specifically with the protection of green belts is the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act 1938. This made provision for the preservation from industrial or building development of areas of land owned, or formerly owned, by local authorities in and around the former administrative County of London. There has been no subsequent legislation which specifically protects land within the green belt although, within the planning system, there are measures in place which are intended to protect all green belt land. Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG)2 sets out the policies to achieve this. It contains a general presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt, which is reflected in Structure Plans and Local Plans, and carried through in decisions on planning applications.

Green Belt

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what statutory obligations are placed upon local authorities to ensure that their provision of land capable of development is not at the expense of the green belt;
	(2)  what guidance is given to local authorities to ensure that their provision of land capable of development is not at the expense of the green belt.

Keith Hill: The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 obliges planning authorities to have regard to any strategic guidance issued by the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister; current national and regional policies (such as PPG2); the resources likely to be available; and such other matters as the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister may direct the authority to take into account.
	PPG2, with its general presumption against inappropriate development, sets out the Government's policies for protecting green belts. Local planning authorities are obliged to have regard to the policies contained in relevant PPGs when drawing up their development plans, and in future, in their Development Plan Documents.

Homelessness

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities had fewer statutorily homeless households placed in temporary accommodation on 31 March 2004 than they did on 1 May 1997.

Phil Hope: Local authorities report information on their activities under homelessness legislation quarterly, and this includes the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation as on the last day of the quarter. The following table shows the 59 local authorities that reported fewer households as at 31 March 2004 compared to that reported as at 31 March 1997.
	
		Homeless households in temporary accommodation(20) arranged by the local authority, as at 31 March
		
			  1997 2004 Change from 1997 to 2004 
		
		
			 Bassetlaw 202 3 -199 
			 Wirral 104 4 -100 
			 Leicester 168 76 -92 
			 Runnymede 127 44 -83 
			 Waverley 189 107 -82 
			 Bolton 150 74 -76 
			 Reading 373 316 -57 
			 East Devon 64 13 -51 
			 Bradford 98 47 -51 
			 Test Valley 148 100 -48 
			 Preston 111 63 -48 
			 South Kesteven 58 12 -46 
			 East Dorset 82 41 -41 
			 Sunderland 48 12 -36 
			 Epsom and Ewell 67 33 -34 
			 Bromsgrove 26 0 -26 
			 Gateshead 42 17 -25 
			 Knowsley 50 28 -22 
			 Tunbridge Wells 74 53 -21 
			 North Dorset 22 1 -21 
			 Wychavon 27 7 -20 
			 Walsall 82 62 -20 
			 Forest of Dean 50 31 -19 
			 Gloucester 204 186 -18 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 91 73 -18 
			 Darlington 17 2 -15 
			 Wyre 31 16 -15 
			 South Staffordshire 32 18 -14 
			 Greenwich 391 378 -13 
			 Warwick 30 17 -13 
			 New Forest 215 203 -12 
			 East Staffordshire 12 0 -12 
			 Erewash 34 23 -11 
			 Kibble Valley 21 11 -10 
			 Wolverhampton 31 22 -9 
			 Bury 23 14 -9 
			 Rugby 12 4 -8 
			 City of London 33 25 -8 
			 Castle Morpeth 8 0 -8 
			 Sandwell 13 6 -7 
			 South Shropshire 30 23 -7 
			 Chelmsford 49 42 -7 
			 Ashfield 17 10 -7 
			 Pendle 20 14 -6 
			 Sefton 16 10 -6 
			 Eastbourne 252 246 -6 
			 Amber Valley 32 27 -5 
			 Oswestry 8 3 -5 
			 Rossendale 4 0 -4 
			 West Lindsey 14 11 -3 
			 Blyth Valley 6 3 -3 
			 Easington 4 2 -2 
			 Halton 34 33 -1 
			 Mid Sussex 55 54 -1 
			 Winchester 71 70 -1 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 4 3 -1 
			 West Lancashire 6 5 -1 
			 North Warwickshire 1 0 -1 
			 Eden 23 22 -1 
		
	
	(20) Households in temporary accommodation arranged by the local authority pending inquiries, or after being accepted, under homelessness legislation.
	Notes:
	1. Of 354 local authorities in England, 32 authorities failed to report in either or both years.
	2. Excludes "homeless at home" households.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly).

Homelessness

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what factors other than the extension of the categories of priority need have been assessed as contributing to (a) the change in the numbers of statutorily homeless households in temporary accommodation since 1 May 1997 and (b) the average length of time they have to wait before being permanently rehoused;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the average length of time a statutorily homeless household to whom a local authority accepted a duty in 2004 will have to wait before being permanently rehoused.

Phil Hope: There is a complex interplay between a number of factors that cause homelessness (including the supply of housing and personal problems such as relationship breakdown, debt or drug misuse). This was set out in the March 2002 report "More than a roof" which emphasises the importance of concentrating as much on people and the problems they face as on places in which they live.
	The Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate, within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is taking forward the approaches set out in "More than a roof". The directorate works closely with local authorities, voluntary sector agencies (including housing associations), and other Government Departments to improve our understanding of the relationship between all the factors that influence homelessness and to test and promote new ways to tackle homelessness more effectively.
	Information reported quarterly by local authorities on their activities under homelessness legislation includes the number of households that, during the quarter, left temporary accommodation provided by the authority, or who were no longer registered as "homeless at home", by the length of stay (in broad time bands).
	Projections of the expected average length of stay for households currently being accepted as owed a main homelessness duty are not made. In the March quarter of 1997 the average length of stay for homeless households prior to leaving temporary accommodation in England was around 100 days; the equivalent figure for 2004 was around 270 days.

Homelessness

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of households accepted as being homeless in London between March 2003 and March 2004 were of black or minority ethnic origin.

Phil Hope: Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected quarterly. Estimates of households accepted by London boroughs between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004 as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, by black or ethnic minority group, is tabled as follows.
	
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 White 11,530 37 
			 Black or minority ethnic 18,420 58 
			 Ethnic origin 1,570 5 
			 All households 31,530 100 
		
	
	Notes:
	Estimates include imputation for any non-responding authorities.
	Totals may not equal sum of components because of rounding
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly)

Homes above Shops

Martin Linton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate how many under-used or vacant spaces above shops have been converted or renovated as a rented dwelling since May 2001.

Keith Hill: The information required to provide such an estimate is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his decision not to introduce the duty of care on owners of houses in multiple occupation proposed in Licensing of HMOs—England: A consultation paper.

Keith Hill: The Government decided not to introduce an additional provision relating to the duty of care on owners of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) because such a duty already exists in law and will be complemented by the provisions in the Housing Bill currently before Parliament.
	Under section 4 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 a landlord is under an obligation to ensure that the tenants of premises (for which he has a duty to repair) are reasonably safe from personal injury arising from relevant defects. This duty applies to all landlords who let under tenancies and, therefore, extends to landlords of HMOs.Paragraph 13 of the Housing (Management of Houses In Multiple Occupation) Regulations 1990 places a duty on managers of HMOs to ensure that adequate precautions are taken to prevent injury to residents arising from the design and structural conditions of the HMO. Whilst it is intended to revoke these regulations on the coming into force of the Housing Bill, the Government intends to re- enact this regulation in new regulations provided for in the Bill. Those new regulations will ensure that acceptable management standards are in place in all HMOs and a failure to comply with any of those regulations will be a criminal offence, prosecutable by a local authority. A local authority can use its powers under Part 1 of the Bill to enforce improvements made necessary by management failures.
	Part 1 of the Housing Bill will place a duty on a local authority to take enforcement action to deal with defects in HMOs and other residential dwellings where it determines there is a serious threat to the health or safety of the occupiers.

Housing (Victims of Domestic Violence)

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the status is of women who are living in a women's refuge in order to escape violence or abuse in respect of (a) homelessness and (b) council housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: A woman living in a women's refuge in order to escape violence or abuse would be statutorily homeless if it was not reasonable for her to continue to live in the refuge and she had no other suitable accommodation available for her occupation which she had a legal right to occupy.
	The "Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities", to which local housing authorities in England must have regard by law, states that women's refuges are intended to provide very short term accommodation and should not be regarded as reasonable to continue to occupy in the medium and longer term. Housing authorities should recognise that placing an applicant in a refuge will generally be a temporary expedient only, and a prolonged stay could block a bed space that was urgently needed by someone else at risk. Refuges should be used to provide accommodation for the minimum period necessary before alternative suitable accommodation is secured elsewhere.
	She would be entitled to make an application for an allocation of accommodation to any housing authority and if she was considered to be homeless by that authority should be given reasonable preference for an allocation under the authority's allocation scheme.

Housing Stocks

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities in England have an incidence of more than 5 per cent. of their dwelling stock empty; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce this incidence.

Keith Hill: The information requested is tabled as follows:
	
		
			 Local authority Percentage of stock vacant 
		
		
			 South Hams 13 
			 Burnley 7 
			 Manchester 7 
			 Liverpool 7 
			 Calderdale 7 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 7 
			 Salford 7 
			 Kingston upon Hull 7 
			 Pendle 7 
			 Waveney 7 
			 Hastings 6 
			 Bournemouth 6 
			 Hyndburn 6 
			 Oldham 6 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 6 
			 Torridge 6 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 6 
			 Scarborough 6 
			 Preston 6 
			 Tameside 6 
			 Tower Hamlets 5 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 5 
			 Thanet 5 
			 Easington 5 
			 Great Yarmouth 5 
			 Maldon 5 
			 Wear Valley 5 
			 Allerdale 5 
			 Carlisle 5 
			 Knowsley 5 
		
	
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is taking action to reduce the incidence of empty homes. We have established a £500 million Market Renewal Fund for investment in nine pathfinder areas to tackle low demand and abandonment across the North and Midlands. Local authorities have been given the discretion to reduce, or remove completely, council tax discounts on long-term empty homes. We are proposing to introduce new powers in the Housing Bill for local authorities to manage privately owned empty homes where the vacancy cannot be justified. We are consulting on a proposal to re-introduce a Best Value Performance Indicator to measure local authority performance in re-letting their empty council dwellings. This is in addition to an existing performance indicator that measures the performance of local authorities at returning private sector vacant dwellings to use.

Land Use

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements are in place for the monitoring of land use.

Keith Hill: The main source of information is Land Use Change Statistics (LUCS), based on information from Ordnance Survey on the change of use of individual land parcels. The most recent information was published in May as "Land Use Change in England: Residential Development to 2003".
	There is also the National Land Use Database of Previously-Developed Land, which is now updated annually and shows the stock of brownfield land, both vacant and derelict land and land currently in use with potential for development. Results for 2002 were published in September 2003 as "Previously-Developed Land that May be Available for Development (Brownfield Sites) in 2002".
	A further source which has been produced on an experimental basis covering the London and South East Government Office Regions and five local authorities in Essex is the Generalised Land Use Database. This shows the distribution of all land across nine categories as at the end of 2001. It is planned to extend coverage to the whole of England by the end of the year. Further information is on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website as "Generalised Land Use Classification Statistics".

Means-tested Benefits

Peter Viggers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the means-tested benefits available through his Department and the agencies for which it is responsible (a) in May 1997 and (b) now.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created in May 2002. No means tested benefits are, or have been, payable through the Office or its agencies.

Ministerial Air Travel

Paul Marsden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list for each year since 1997 the number of miles flown by each Minister on official departmental business.

Phil Hope: The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	However, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government has also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information reaching back to 1995–96. Information for 2003–04 is currently being assembled and will be published shortly. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House

Pay Systems

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the most recent review of (a) his Department's pay systems, (b) the pay systems of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible and (c) the departmental equal pay action plan.

Phil Hope: The information is as follows.
	(a) The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has yet to complete a review of its headquarters pay system which was inherited from its predecessor department in May 2002 when the Office was established.
	(b) Non-departmental public bodies have delegated authority for pay and grading and are individually responsible for reviewing their pay systems and associated issues.
	(c) A summary document of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's equal pay action plan titled "ODPM (HQ) Equal Pay Review" is available in the Library of the House.

Postal Voting

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total change in costs will be of conducting all-postal pilots at the elections in June, broken down by main budget heading.

Nick Raynsford: Firm data about these costs, including a breakdown by main heading, is not available. One of the aims of this year's pilot elections is to understand in greater depth the precise costs of running all-postal elections. The claims submitted to the Elections Claims Unit by returning officers will be invaluable in providing this data. Our provisional estimate of the additional cost of conducting the all postal pilots is of the order of £10 million.

Regional Affairs

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to allow the people of Herefordshire to decide the region that they wish to belong to.

Nick Raynsford: There are no plans to review regional boundaries.

Speculative Land Plots

Charles Hendry: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cases involving speculative land plots have been disposed of by courts in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no information on this.

Urban Sprawl

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Green Belt in preventing urban sprawl since 1997.

Keith Hill: No formal assessment has been made, but the latest published figures from Land Use Change Statistics show that between 1997 and 2000 an average of only 0.06 per cent. of the total Green Belt area changed from undeveloped to developed use each year. This suggests that the application of Green Belt policy continues to be effective in preventing urban sprawl.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Community Legal Services Partnership (Newcastle)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what debt, money and welfare benefits advice is provided by the Community Legal Services Partnership in the City of Newcastle; and what change there has been in these resources in the last three years.

David Lammy: Individual providers within each Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP) are responsible for delivering local advice services. In the area covered by the Newcastle CLSP, the Legal Services Commission has contracted with four solicitor firms and three Not for Profit organisations to provide legal and advice services in debt and welfare benefits.
	The four solicitor firms have authority to start 40 debt and 386 welfare benefit cases. The three Not for Profit organisations are authorised to undertake 1,100 casework hours in respect of debt, and 2,200 hours in respect of welfare benefits.
	While the number of matter starts and casework hours have not changed from 2003–04, this follows on from a substantial increase from 2002–03, when solicitors in Newcastle were only allocated 232 case starts in welfare benefits and debt, and when there was no contracted provision through any Not for Profit organisation in either of these two categories.

Parental Responsibility

John Stanley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether he will implement the 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction Applicable Law Recognition Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children in the same time scale as the EU Parental Responsibility Regulation comes into effect; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The new EU Parental Responsibility Regulation will come into force on 1 March 2005. Implementation of the Hague Convention requires ratification on an EU-wide basis. This will require enabling legislation in a number of member states. The Government are committed to bringing forward enabling legislation for the UK as soon as parliamentary time allows.

HEALTH

Alcohol (National Harm Reduction Strategy)

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in carrying out the national audit of alcohol treatment services recommended in the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The treatment audit is on course for completion by quarter 1 of 2005 as planned.

Alcohol (National Harm Reduction Strategy)

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in setting up the Alcohol Communication Group recommended in the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The first meeting of the cross-Government communications group has been arranged for July 2004.

Allergy Services

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio of allergy doctors per head of population is in England.

John Hutton: The standard ratio used by the Department is per 100,000 population.
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS) staff with a specialty in allergy—England, as at 30 September 2003
		
			 Allergy Number (headcount) 
		
		
			 Number 24 
			 Doctors per 100,000 of the population(21) 0.48 
		
	
	(21) Population data is as at 2002 as present data is not yet available.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.
	The number of general practitioners with special interests in allergies is not collected centrally.

Ambulance Response Times (London)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the latest average response time is of ambulances to 999 calls in London boroughs;
	(2)  what the latest average response time is of ambulances to 999 calls in the London borough of Havering.

John Hutton: Statistics on average response times of ambulances to 999 calls are not collected by borough or primary care trust.
	However, London Ambulance Service response times to all categories of call for the reporting year 2003–04, the latest data available, can be found on the Department's website at: www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0411.htm

Birth Defects

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into rates of birth defects in communities located near to waste incinerators.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has not commissioned research into rates of birth defects in communities located near to waste incinerators. Several such studies have been published, with no consistent evidence of any association.
	Emissions from modern waste incinerators in the United Kingdom are subject to stringent controls introduced since the periods captured in these studies. It is probable that few, if any, of the incinerators studied would have complied with current requirements.

Breast Milk Substitutes

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusions have been drawn following discussions with the Food Standards Agency with regard to ensuring the best possible alignment of UK regulations with the International Code for Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

Melanie Johnson: Rules on the composition, labelling and promotion of infant formulas and follow on formulas are laid down in European Directive 917321/EEC, which is implemented in the United Kingdom through national regulations. Amendments to the Directive are currently under discussion in Brussels with the relationship between the international code and the Directive being one of the issues under consideration.

Chlamydia

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria were used when selecting primary care trusts for the extension of the chlamydia screening programme.

Melanie Johnson: The criteria used to select primary care trusts for phase II of the national roll-out of the chlamydia screening programme are published on the Department website at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/Chlamydia/fs/en

Chlamydia

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what criteria were used in selecting pilot areas for chlamydia testing;
	(2)  for what reasons Barking, Havering and Redbridge was not selected as a pilot area for chlamydia testing;
	(3)  if he will extend the pilot scheme for chlamydia testing to include Barking, Havering and Redbridge.

Melanie Johnson: The criteria used to select primary care trusts for phase two of the national roll-out of the chlamydia screening programme are published on the Department's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/Chlamydia/fs/en.
	Those primary care trusts (PCTs) which were unsuccessful in their bids to participate in phase two of the chlamydia screening programme, including Barking, Havering and Redbridge, were not selected because the expert selection panel felt that other bids better met the selection criteria.
	It is the Department's aim that the chlamydia screening programme will be rolled-out across all PCTs by 2008 and we shall be inviting bids for phase three of the programme later this year.

Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the (a) abolition and (b) transfer of responsibilities of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Government's recommendations in relation to the future of all Department of Health arm's length bodies will be published shortly.

Contaminated Blood Products

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths from (a) HIV/AIDS, (b) hepatitis C and (c) co-infection from AIDS and hepatitis C as a result of using NHS-supplied contaminated blood products have so far occurred; and how many victims remain alive.

Melanie Johnson: Information is not collected on the number of people who acquired infections through contaminated blood products and who have died.
	The number of haemophilia patients infected with HIV/AIDS from national health service blood products registered with the Macfarlane Trust and who have died are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of deaths(22) 
		
		
			 1988(23) 88 
			 1989–97 661 
			 1998 22 
			 1999 19 
			 2000 24 
			 2001 13 
			 2002 12 
			 2003 11 
			 2004 2 
			 Total 852 
		
	
	(22) The Macfarlane Trust does not collect information on the cause of death.
	(23) Prior to 1988.
	The Macfarlane Trust currently has 391 registrants, and 40 infected intimates (wives and partners).
	Information on the total number of patients who have died from hepatitis C as a result of infection through NHS blood products and the number who remain alive and the figure for the number of patients co-infected with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C who have died are not collected.

Deaths During Operations (Havering)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died during operations in the hospitals in the London borough of Havering in (a) 1997, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003.

John Hutton: Information on how many people have died during operations is not collected centrally.

Deaths while on a Waiting List

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died while on a waiting list for an operation in (a) each of London's NHS hospitals and (b) the London borough of Havering in (i) 1995, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2001 and (v) 2002.

John Hutton: Information on how many people died while on a waiting list for an operation is not collected centrally.

Dental Provision (Homeless People)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions his Department has had with (a) the homelessness unit at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) homeless charities regarding dental provision for homeless people since passage of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003;
	(2)  what benefits the dental aspects of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 will bring to homeless people.

Rosie Winterton: The Government are committed to rebuilding and restoring national health service dentistry to improve the oral health of the whole nation, including its most vulnerable members. One function of the community dental service is to provide dental care and treatment for people with special needs, including homeless people, from fixed-site and mobile outreach clinics. 47 NHS dental access centres located in areas of poor oral health provide dental services for patients who may not otherwise access dentistry. When we delegate the commissioning of general dental services under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003, every primary care trust (PCT) will have to provide primary dental services to the extent it considers necessary to meet all reasonable requirements within its area. We will encourage PCTs to hold local consultations with organisations which support the homeless during implementation of the new arrangements.

Dentistry

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have applied to become NHS dentists since 2000 in (a) England and (b) Gloucestershire; how many dentists in (i) England and (ii) Gloucestershire have applied for grants to help them achieve NHS status since 2000; how many of these grants have been paid; and how much is outstanding.

Rosie Winterton: The numbers of dentists starting in the general (GDS) or personal dental service (PDS) in the years 2000–01 to 2003–04 are shown in the table.
	
		Number of dentists starting in GDS or PDS, 2000–01 to 2003–04
		
			 Year ending March Gloucestershire area England 
		
		
			 2001 15 1,142 
			 2002 25 1,140 
			 2003 11 1,026 
			 2004 14 1,079 
		
	
	Information is not available for the community dental service or the hospital dental service. Information on the number of dentists who have applied for grants to help them achieve national health service status is not held centrally, although it may be available from the individual primary care trusts (PCTs). Last September, we announced £35 million capital to enable PCTs to improve access, choice and quality for patients, and in November, a further £15 million revenue to support access. The Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority will receive some £2 million to improve access. The NHS dentistry support team is now working with West Gloucestershire PCT to improve access in its area.

Drug Misuse Indicator

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many changes have been made to his Department's drug misuse indicator during 2004; what the reasons were for those changes; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The construction of the drugs misuse indicator has been changed once since being posted on the Healthcare Commission's website. The change simplified the construction of the indicator so that only 2003–04 data was used to measure performance.
	The 2002–03 data were excluded following discussions with strategic health authorities, which were concerned about data quality.

European Services in the Internal Market Directive

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he will put in place in relation to the proposed EU Directive, European Services in the Internal Market, to ensure patients are protected from unscrupulous providers who may seek to rely on the country of origin principle to bypass public health initiatives and regulations.

John Hutton: The Department is working very closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as regards the proposed European Union Directive. There has been agreement on the temporary service provision during the on-going negotiations of the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive to ensure that medical professionals are regulated from host state, rather than home state. We continue to work closely with DTI colleagues to ensure that this position and our interests are fully represented and considered.

European Services in the Internal Market Directive

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has received the response of the Royal College of Nursing to the Department of Trade and Industry's consultation on the European Union Directive on Services in the Internal Market; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: I have received a copy of the Royal College of Nursing's response to the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) consultation on the European Commission's proposal for an Internal Market for Services Directive, which the Department is currently considering further. Negotiation on this proposal continues and my Department is working very closely with the DTI, the lead Government department during these negotiations.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received about the dangers of drinking in pregnant women and its links to foetal alcohol spectrum disorders; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures he is taking to monitor the incidence of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has received a number of representations about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and these have been considered as part of the alcohol harm reduction strategy for England. The Department has made no specific estimate of the incidence of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders or of foetal alcohol syndrome in England.
	The Department does not collect specific information about the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome. We do have information on admissions for foetal alcohol syndrome in England in recent years and this is shown in the table.
	
		All diagnoses (ICD-10 Q86.0) foetal alcohol syndrome—count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) in national health service hospitals, England 2000–01 to 2002–03
		
			  FCEs 
		
		
			 2000–01 95 
			 2001–02 90 
			 2002–03 128 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	2. Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 2001–02 and 2002–03, which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.
	3. All diagnoses count of episodes. These figures represent a count of all FCEs where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnoses fields in a hospital episode statistics (HSE) record. A record is only included once in each count, even if a diagnosis is mentioned in more than one diagnosis field of the record.
	Source:
	Hospital episode statistics, Department of Health.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the need for warnings on alcoholic drinks concerning the risks of brain damage to the unborn child from drinking during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has received a number of representations about health warnings on alcoholic drinks and these have been considered as part of the development of the alcohol harm reduction strategy for England. It is not possible to identify which of these representations, if any, relate to the risks of brain damage to unborn children from drinking during pregnancy.

General Practitioners (Havering)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest average waiting time is for an appointment with a general practitioner in the London Borough of Havering.

John Hutton: Information is not collected centrally on the average waiting time to see a general practitioner.
	However, information is collected on the percentage of patients seen by a GP within the 48-hour GP access target. The most recent primary care access survey shows 100 per cent. of patients in Havering Primary Care Trust were able to see a GP within two working days.

HIV/AIDS (Discrimination)

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to bring forward measures to counter discrimination which takes place against individuals who have HIV or AIDS; what priority he affords to such proposals; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Department contracts with the National AIDS Trust (NAT) to undertake activities to address stigma and discrimination associated with HIV, in line with the stated aims of the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV (2001). These activities aim to improve people's ability and willingness to access HIV services (including testing) and treatments, and to address inequalities.

Hospital Staff (Havering)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the staff to patient ratio is in NHS hospitals in Havering.

John Hutton: Information is not collected centrally on staff patient ratios.

Investors in Health Award

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on establishing an Investors in Health award to encourage employers to promote good health in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the benefits to (a) the national health service and (b) British business of encouraging employers to promote good health in the workplace.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 12 July 2004
	An exchange of correspondence between Standard Life Healthcare and the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, on establishing an "Investors in Health" award designed to promote better health at work took place in June this year.
	Subsequent to this, officials from the Department will be meeting with representatives from Standard Life Healthcare, together with officials from the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Work and Pensions on Wednesday 14 July.
	Standard Life also included proposals on establishing an "Investors in health" award in its response to "Choosing Health?", the consultation on improving people's health and well-being, which ended on 28 June. This consultation will inform the content of a White Paper on improving health, which will be published in the autumn.

Litigation Expenditure

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the amount of NHS resources spent on (i) defending and (ii) initiating legal actions.

Rosie Winterton: The Department commissioned the Universities of Nottingham, Oxford and Surrey to produce "Evaluating Policy Alternatives for Patient Compensation" in 2001. This was part of the programme of work leading to the publication of "Making Amends", the Chief Medical Officer's proposal for reforming the approach to clinical negligence in the national health service. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	This research showed that the NHS resources spent on defending and initiating legal actions, by scheme, in 2000–01, was:
	
		£000
		
			 Scheme Awards Claimant costs Defence costs 
		
		
			 Clinical negligence scheme for trusts(24) 42,518 13,950 12,182 
			 Existing liabilities scheme(25) 184,554 29,139 11,828 
			 Total 227,072 43,089 24,010 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The clinical negligence scheme for trusts (CNST)—a voluntary pooling arrangement open to both NHS and primary care trusts and health authorities (HAs) in England. The scheme came into operation from 1 April 1995.
	2. The existing liabilities scheme—established on 1 April 1996, and open to all trusts and HAs without any membership requirements and irrespective of whether the applicant is a member of the CNST. It provides cover for claims arising from liabilities, which occurred prior to 1 April 1995.
	The NHS summarised accounts for 2002–03 records the total amount spent on negligence as £446 million. Of the total of £446 million, the amount of NHS resources spent on defending and initiating legal actions was £58 million and £59 million respectively.

Medical Training (Debt)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations have been received by the Department requesting the writing off of the debt of doctors' medical training for those who work exclusively within the NHS for a set period.

John Hutton: There have been no formal written representations to the Department within the last two years on this matter. A few individuals writing to the Department to query their own student support arrangements have suggested this option as worthy of future consideration.

Mental Health

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will include proposals for improving the mental health of older people in the White Paper on public health.

Melanie Johnson: Our consultation, "Choosing Health? A consultation on action to improve people's health" ended on 28 June 2004. Over 2,200 responses have been received, and are now being analysed. These cover a wide range of topics, including the mental health of older people. We shall build on the consultation responses as we prepare our White Paper on improving people's health, which we plan to publish in the autumn.

Myasthenia Gravis

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on myasthenia gravis; and how the Government supports those diagnosed with the disease.

Stephen Ladyman: Myasthenia gravis is a neurological condition characterised by fluctuating levels of muscle weakness. There is no cure but treatment includes medication, surgery and palliation.
	The national service framework for long-term conditions will focus on improving services for people with neurological conditions. While the framework will not cover myasthenia gravis specifically, it will recommend improvements in standards, care and support that will benefit everyone with a neurological condition.
	We are committed to publishing the framework as soon as possible.
	It is for health authorities, in partnership with other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to provide health services for their populations, including those with myasthenia gravis.

New Hospitals

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will define hospitals in relation to the NHS Plan target of 100 new hospitals by 2010; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The NHS Plan target is for "100 new hospital schemes in total between 2000 and 2010". A new hospital scheme is defined as a capital investment scheme with a value of £10 million or over.
	This does not include specialist investment initiatives identified separately in the NHS Plan, such as diagnosis and treatment centres.
	46 new hospital schemes, 39 private finance initiative and seven public capital, are already built and open, so the national health service is well on course to meet the target.

Health Service Finance

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the most recent figures collected by each strategic health authority showing (a) the forecast financial surplus or deficit for each NHS trust and primary care trust, (b) the savings needed for each trust and primary care trust to deliver its 2004–05 recovery plan and (c) those savings as a percentage of trust or primary care trust income; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: We have no plans to publish unaudited in-year financial management information. All national health service trusts and primary care trusts have been asked to plan for and achieve financial balance in 2004–05. Audited information for all NHS trusts will be published in their individual annual accounts and will be available centrally in autumn 2005.

NHS Continuing Care Criteria (Challenges)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether individuals challenging NHS continuing care criteria can get help from the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (a) when considering requesting a case review, (b) on preparation of papers for review panel, (c) after being turned down by review panel and instigating the complaints process and (d) at the time of the complaint panel hearing.

Rosie Winterton: The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) supports patients and their carers with grievances against health services which fall under the jurisdiction of the Health Ombudsman. People are able to seek support for all stages of the review and complaints procedures that apply to individuals wishing to challenge national health service continuing care criteria.

NHS Managers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many managers were in post in the NHS in (a) 1979 and (b) 1997.

John Hutton: Information on the number of administrative managers employed in the national health service consistent with that currently collected in the Department of Health non-medical workforce census is only available from 1995. The table shows the number of administrative managers employed in the NHS in 1995 and 1997.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: senior managers and managers in England as at 30 September each specified year
		
			  1995 1997 
		
		
			 Whole-time equivalent 20,049 21,434 
			 Headcount 20,842 22,173 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census

NHS Performance Criteria

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what main criteria he uses to judge the performance of the NHS in England.

John Hutton: The independent Healthcare Commission is responsible for developing the indicators for use in the national health service performance ratings. The Healthcare Commission will shortly publish results for 2003–04.

NHS Posts

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken to ascertain whether Staff and Associate Specialist doctors are invited to apply for NHS posts which go to overseas consultants recruited to work in the UK.

John Hutton: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The appointment procedure for consultants working in the national health service is set out in the National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1996 and also the Good Practice Guidance 1996. These require an open and competitive process that should ensure consistent procedures are observed and that all candidates have an equal opportunity when applying and being interviewed for a consultant post.
	The only consultant posts which are exclusively available for international candidates, which is done after attempts have been made to fill them in the United Kingdom, are posts advertised under the NHS international fellowships scheme, which aims to recruit eminent consultants from abroad for two year placements in hard-to-fill specialities.
	In order to be eligible to apply for consultant posts, doctors must be on the specialist register held by the General Medical Council. If doctors in the staff and associate specialist grades are on the specialist register, they are therefore eligible to apply for consultant posts. Most staff and associate specialist grade doctors are not on the specialist register and are therefore not eligible to apply for such posts.
	However, two initiatives are currently being taken forward that will increase the opportunities for these doctors to progress to the specialist register. These are the establishment of the postgraduate medical education training board and the proposals for reform set out in the consultation document, "Choice and Opportunity".

NHS Professionals

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what change in temporary staffing costs he expects for individual NHS trusts which sign up to NHS Professionals;
	(2)  on what basis the budget for NHS Professionals for 2004–05 and 2005–06 was agreed;
	(3)  what representations he has received from NHS trusts raising concerns about working with NHS Professionals;
	(4)  what targets have been set by his Department for NHS trusts to use NHS Professionals; and what progress has been made towards meeting those targets;
	(5)  whether it is his policy that NHS trusts should work with NHS Professionals on a mandatory basis; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  what representations he has received from NHS trusts who lost bank staff to private agencies when the bank was transferred to NHS Professionals; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: In April 2004, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State established the NHS Professionals special health authority to provide, in partnership with national health service bodies, a national service managing the supply of temporary staff for the NHS in England.
	While NHS bodies are not required to use NHS Professionals' services, they have been encouraged by the Department to engage with the special health authority to understand the benefits it can offer for the cost effective management of temporary staffing. It is hoped and anticipated, therefore, that the number of NHS bodies using NHS Professionals will steadily expand.
	NHS Professionals is a not-for-profit organisation that brings value to local health economies through two routes; firstly, by working with trusts to help reduce demand for temporary staff and secondly, through commission rates for the supply of temporary staff.
	Rates charged by NHS Professionals currently stand at an average of 7.5 per cent. This is at least 13 per cent., less than the average cost of employing staff through a commercial agency operating within agency framework agreements. Trusts should therefore save money by using the NHS Professionals service. The majority of trusts which have implemented the NHS Professionals service report a reduction in their use of temporary staffing by private agencies. I am not aware of any representations from NHS trusts with concerns about working with the special health authority.
	The Department has provided financial support of £26.6 million in 2004–05 on the basis of a rigorous review of NHS Professionals' business plan, recognising that NHS Professionals expects to grow the business to a point where it is self funding in the near future. Further information on NHS Professionals' objectives and targets are contained within the business plan, copies of which are available in the Library.

NHS Security

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2004, Official Report, column 1554W, on NHS security, when he expects statistics to become available on the number of security incidents in the NHS since 2002.

John Hutton: The national health service security management service is currently developing systems and processes to support security related incident reporting in other areas.
	Statistics on physical assaults taking place in the NHS will be available from the 2004–05 financial year.

NHS Staffing

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) doctors and (b) nurses were working within the (i) East Leeds, (ii) North East Leeds and (iii) South Leeds Primary Care Trust between September 2001 and September 2003.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The information is set out in the table.
	
		Qualified general medical practitioners and practice nurses employed by unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs(24)) for primary care trusts (PCTs) in Leeds
		
			  East Leeds PCT Leeds North East PCT South Leeds PCT 
			  Doctors(25) Practice nurses Doctors(25) Practice nurses Doctors(25) Practice nurses 
		
		
			 2001 102 57 113 58 89 47 
			 2002 94 59 112 58 85 47 
			 2003 106 57 121 62 100 49 
		
	
	(24) UPEs include general medical service unrestricted principals, personal medical service (PMS) contracted general practitioners and PMS salaried GPs.
	(25) Doctors = General practitioners.
	Source:
	Department of Health.

Nursing Staff

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses there were available in the NHS in (a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) 1997.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		National health service hospital and community health services (HCHS): Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff including practice nurses(26)employed by unrestricted principals (UPEs) 2 in England as at 30 September each year -- headcount
		
			  (28)1979 1985 1997 
		
		
			 All qualified nursing, midwifery  and health visiting staff 192,050 275,420 318,860 
			 of which:
			 HCHS staff 190,240 271,380 300,470 
			 Practice nurses(26) (29)1,810 (29)4,030 18,390 
		
	
	(26) Practice nurse figures were collected on 1 October.
	(27) UPEs includes general medical service unrestricted principals, personal medical service (PMS) contracted general practitioners and PMS salaried GPs.
	(28) HCHS staff exclude community staff for these years.
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	(29) Practice nurse figures are estimated for these years.
	Note:
	Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts.
	Figures exclude agency staff
	A new classification of the non-medical workforce was introduced in 1995. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years.
	Source:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census
	Department of Health general and personal medical services survey

Waiting Lists/Times (London)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the latest average waiting time for patients in accident and emergency departments in Havering from first consultant to final treatment is;
	(2)  what the latest average waiting time is for patients in accident and emergency departments in each of London's boroughs.

John Hutton: Information on average waiting times in accident and emergency departments is not collected centrally. The Department does, however, publish data on the percentage of patients spending four hours or less in A&E from arrival to discharge, admission or transfer.
	This data can be found on the Department's website at www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data requests/total time ae.htm.
	These figures are also available in the Library.

Waiting Lists/Times (London)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people are waiting for an operation in each London borough;
	(2)  what the latest average waiting time is to get an appointment with a consultant after a referral from a general practitioner in the London borough of Havering;
	(3)  what the current average waiting time is to see a consultant in each London borough.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Waiting times for first out-patient appointment, quarter ended March 2004, Commissioner based—strategic health authority (SHA)
		
			 Code Name Code Primary care trust (PCT) name Estimated median time patients waited from GP referral to first out-patient appointment (weeks) 
		
		
			 Q04 North West London 5K5 Brent PCT 8.29 
			 Q04 North West London 5HX Ealing PCT 6.41 
			 Q04 North West London 5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 6.77 
			 Q04 North West London 5K6 Harrow PCT 9.36 
			 Q04 North West London 5AT Hillingdon PCT 7.69 
			 Q04 North West London 5HY Hounslow PCT 7.03 
			 Q04 North West London 5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT 7.43 
			 Q04 North West London 5LC Westminster PCT 7.49 
			 Q05 North Central London 5A9 Barnet PCT 8.25 
			 Q05 North Central London 5K7 Camden PCT 7.76 
			 Q05 North Central London 5C1 Enfield PCT 8.55 
			 Q05 North Central London 5C9 Haringey PCT 6.87 
			 Q05 North Central London 5K8 Islington PCT 6.48 
			 Q06 North East London 5C2 Barking and Dagenham PCT 9.77 
			 Q06 North East London 5C3 City and Hackney PCT 6.78 
			 Q06 North East London 5A4 Havering PCT 8.98 
			 Q06 North East London 5C5 Newham PCT 9.54 
			 Q06 North East London 5NA Redbridge PCT 10.02 
			 Q06 North East London 5C4 Tower Hamlets PCT 8.52 
			 Q06 North East London 5NC Waltham Forest PCT 9.07 
			 Q07 South East London TAK Bexley PCT 7.79 
			 Q07 South East London 5A7 Bromley PCT 6.20 
			 Q07 South East London 5A8 Greenwich PCT 7.05 
			 Q07 South East London 5LD Lambeth PCT 8.16 
			 Q07 South East London 5LF Lewisham PCT 8.47 
			 Q07 South East London 5LE Southwark PCT 8.79 
			 Q08 South West London 5K9 Croydon PCT 7.32 
			 Q08 South West London 5A5 Kingston PCT 6.74 
			 Q08 South West London 5M6 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 6.26 
			 Q08 South West London 5M7 Sutton and Merton PCT 7.44 
			 Q08 South West London 5LG Wandsworth PCT 6.59 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08.
	
		Patients waiting for elective admission, April 2004—Commissioner based
		
			 SHA code SHA name Code PCT name Total waiting 
		
		
			 Q04 North West London 5K5 Brent PCT 4,225 
			 Q04 North West London 5HX Ealing PCT 5,125 
			 Q04 North West London 5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 2,457 
			 Q04 North West London 5K6 Harrow PCT 1,273 
			 Q04 North West London 5AT Hillingdon PCT 3,501 
			 Q04 North West London 5HY Hounslow PCT 3,435 
			 Q04 North West London 5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT 1,800 
			 Q04 North West London 5LC Westminster PCT 2,513 
			 Q05 North Central London 5A9 Barnet PCT 5,590 
			 Q05 North Central London 5K7 Camden PCT 2,831 
			 Q05 North Central London 5C1 Enfield PCT 4,913 
			 Q05 North Central London 5C9 Haringey Teaching PCT 3,312 
			 Q05 North Central London 5K8 Islington PCT 2,691 
			 Q06 North East London 5C2 Barking and Dagenham PCT 3,419 
			 Q06 North East London 5C3 City and Hackney PCT 2,524 
			 Q06 North East London 5A4 Havering PCT 4,866 
			 Q06 North East London 5C5 Newham PCT 3,809 
			 Q06 North East London 5NA Redbridge PCT 4,470 
			 Q06 North East London 5C4 Tower Hamlets PCT 3,887 
			 Q06 North East London 5NC Waltham Forest PCT 3,516 
			 Q07 South East London TAK Bexley Care Trust 3,925 
			 Q07 South East London 5A7 Bromley PCT 4,981 
			 Q07 South East London 5A8 Greenwich PCT 4,120 
			 Q07 South East London 5LD Lambeth PCT 3,811 
			 Q07 South East London 5LF Lewisham PCT 3,910 
			 Q07 South East London 5LE Southwark PCT 3,388 
			 Q08 South West London 5K9 Croydon PCT 5,510 
			 Q08 South West London 5A5 Kingston PCT 3,122 
			 Q08 South West London 5M6 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 2,326 
			 Q08 South West London 5M7 Sutton and Merton PCT 4,556 
			 Q08 South West London 5LG Wandsworth PCT 3,306 
		
	
	Note:
	The above figures show numbers waiting for in-patient admission which may be for treatment and not necessarily an operation.
	Source:
	Department of Health Monthly Monitoring.
	
		Patients waiting for elective admission, April 2004—Commissioner based
		
			 SHA code SHA name Code PCT name Estimated median time patients have been waiting (months) 
		
		
			 Q04 North West London 5K5 Brent PCT 2.3 
			 Q04 North West London 5HX Ealing PCT 2.2 
			 Q04 North West London 5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 2.0 
			 Q04 North West London 5K6 Harrow PCT 5.5 
			 Q04 North West London 5AT Hillingdon PCT 2.3 
			 Q04 North West London 5HY Hounslow PCT 2.2 
			 Q04 North West London 5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT 2.1 
			 Q04 North West London 5LC Westminster PCT 2.1 
			 Q05 North Central London 5A9 Barnet PCT 2.5 
			 Q05 North Central London 5K7 Camden PCT 2.3 
			 Q05 North Central London 5C1 Enfield PCT 2.7 
			 Q05 North Central London 5C9 Haringey Teaching PCT 2.3 
			 Q05 North Central London 5K8 Islington PCT 2.2 
			 Q06 North East London 5C2 Barking and Dagenham PCT 2.5 
			 Q06 North East London 5C3 City and Hackney PCT 2.0 
			 Q06 North East London 5A4 Havering PCT 2.4 
			 Q06 North East London 5C5 Newham PCT 2.1 
			 Q06 North East London 5NA Redbridge PCT 2.5 
			 Q06 North East London 5C4 Tower Hamlets PCT 2.0 
			 Q06 North East London 5NC Waltham Forest PCT 2.7 
			 Q07 South East London TAK Bexley Care Trust 2.4 
			 Q07 South East London 5A7 Bromley PCT 2.5 
			 Q07 South East London 5A8 Greenwich PCT 2.3 
			 Q07 South East London 5LD Lambeth PCT 2.3 
			 Q07 South East London 5LF Lewisham PCT 2.5 
			 Q07 South East London 5LE Southwark PCT 2.3 
			 Q08 South West London 5K9 Croydon PCT 2.5 
			 Q08 South West London 5A5 Kingston PCT 2.2 
			 Q08 South West London 5M6 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 2.2 
			 Q08 South West London 5M7 Button and Merton PCT 2.4 
			 Q08 South West London 5LG Wandsworth PCT 2.3 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health Monthly Monitoring.

Waiting Lists/Times (London)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many patients are waiting for orthopaedic surgery in each London borough;
	(2)  how many people are waiting for knee replacements in the London Borough of Havering;
	(3)  how many people are waiting for hip replacements in each of the London boroughs.

John Hutton: The Department does not collect this information by specific procedure or by London borough.
	Data on patients waiting for trauma and orthopaedic elective admission in each London primary care trust is shown in the table.
	
		Patients waiting for elective admission, trauma and orthopaedics, March 2004, Commissioner based
		
			 SHA code SHA name Code PCT name Total waiting 
		
		
			 Q04 North West London 5K5 Brent PCT 899 
			 Q04 North West London 5HX Ealing PCT 1,126 
			 Q04 North West London 5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 442 
			 Q04 North West London 5K6 Harrow PCT 926 
			 Q04 North West London 5AT Hillingdon PCT 947 
			 Q04 North West London 5HY Hounslow PCT 777 
			 Q04 North West London 5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT 347 
			 Q04 North West London 5LC Westminster PCT 527 
			 Q05 North Central London 5A9 Barnet PCT 1,443 
			 Q05 North Central London 5K7 Camden PCT 551 
			 Q05 North Central London 5C1 Enfield PCT 1,093 
			 Q05 North Central London 5C9 Haringey PCT 614 
			 Q05 North Central London 5K8 Islington PCT 585 
			 Q06 North East London 5C2 Barking and Dagenham PCT 742 
			 Q06 North East London 5C3 City and Hackney PCT 347 
			 Q06 North East London 5A4 Havering PCT 1,178 
			 Q06 North East London 5C5 Newham PCT 598 
			 Q06 North East London 5NA Redbridge PCT 1,155 
			 Q06 North East London 5C4 Tower Hamlets PCT 630 
			 Q06 North East London 5NC Waltham Forest PCT 1,029 
			 Q07 South East London 5AX Bexley PCT 888 
			 Q07 South East London 5A7 Bromley PCT 1,374 
			 Q07 South East London 5A8 Greenwich PCT 875 
			 Q07 South East London 5LD Lambeth PCT 658 
			 Q07 South East London 5LF Lewisham PCT 1,064 
			 Q07 South East London 5LE Southwark PCT 579 
			 Q08 South West London 5K9 Croydon PCT 1,694 
			 Q08 South West London 5A5 Kingston PCT 594 
			 Q08 South West London 5M6 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 475 
			 Q08 South West London 5M7 Sutton and Merton PCT 1,335 
			 Q08 South West London 5LG Wandsworth PCT 560 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QF01.

Primary Care Centres

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the Government achieved its target of delivering 500 primary care centres by April; whether the Government are on track to achieve its target of (a) an additional 125 primary care centres by 2006 and (b) a further 125 primary care centres by 2008; and what the state of progress was at 1 April;
	(2)  whether the Government achieved its target of modernising 3,000 general practitioner premises by April.

John Hutton: The Government are supporting one of the largest and most sustained programmes of modernisation of primary care premises in the history of the national health service.
	The target date to deliver 500 one-stop primary care centres and the replacement or refurbishment of up to 3,000 general practitioner practice premises is December 2004. The achievement of the first target will provide a platform to deliver the further targets for more one-stop centres by 2008.

Sunbeds

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what measures the Department is taking to ensure that tanning outlets are adequately staffed and supervised to supply accurate information and advice on sunbed use to the public regarding (a) the age of customers, (b) the appropriateness of their skin or medical conditions to sunbed use and (c) the use of eye protection while tanning;
	(2)  what estimates he has made of (a) the number of people using sunbeds and (b) the total number of sunbed sessions in each of the last 10 years;
	(3)  on what medical evidence the recommendation that people under 16 years old should not use sunbeds is based;
	(4)  what measures are in place to monitor the effectiveness of the Health and Safety Executive guidelines on keeping sunbed use to a maximum of 20 sessions per person per year;
	(5)  what recent steps he has taken, in addition to the Health and Safety Executive guidance, to ensure that children and parents are made aware of the health risks arising from sunbed use; and if he will make a statement;
	(6) what action he is taking to ensure that tanning outlets provide accurate information and advice on sunbed use to the public;
	(7)  what action he is taking to monitor the implementation of the Health and Safety Executive guidelines on sunbed use.

Melanie Johnson: The available information on sunbed use is provided as follows.
	A Health Education Authority survey in 1999 found that sunbed use is most common in the 16 to 24-year-old age group with around 15 per cent. of this age group having had at least one sunbed session in the previous year.
	Statistics published by the sunbed association show that:
	8 per cent. of the United Kingdom population use a sunbed (over three million people),
	38 per cent. of sunbed users use a sunbed to get a pre holiday tan,
	58 per cent. of people say they use sunbeds to look healthier.
	There is no conclusive direct evidence that sunbed exposure causes skin cancer from either of the recent reports on the effects of ultra violet radiation (UVR) from the National Radiological Protection Board and from the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection. The greatest source of UVR exposure is from the sun.
	The Health and Safety Executive has recommended that people under 16 should not use sunbeds. This recommendation was made based on expert medical advice.
	Monitoring of Health and Safety Executive guidelines is the responsibility of local authority environmental health officers.
	The SunSmart campaign, which is funded by UK health departments, is working to see guidelines clearly displayed wherever sunbeds are used.
	At the request of Ministers, the SunSmart campaign is actively disseminating key messages regarding the dangers of sunbeds. The campaign is distributing over one million postcards with a red lobster, creative to 16 to 24-years-olds which include a sunbed warning. The SunSmart website, www.sunsmart.org.uk, also has a dedicated section on the dangers of sunbed use under the 'stay safe' section. This section includes information on who we recommend should never use a sunbed, which includes people who;
	are under 16,
	have fair or freckly skin,
	burn easily,
	have a lot of moles,
	have had skin cancer in the past,
	have a family history of skin cancer,
	are using medication that increases your sensitivity to UVR.
	The recently convened sunbed summit (29 March 2004) brought together academic experts, representatives of the sunbed association, health professionals and other interested parties to consider how best to protect sunbed users; and to increase their awareness of the potential dangers that might arise from sunbed use.
	An outcome of the sunbed summit is that an expert group coordinated by Cancer Research UK will work with the sunbed association in reviewing information they provide in salons, the positioning of such materials, and training materials for their staff.
	As part of the sunbed summit, Cancer Research UK and the sunbed association have discussed the possibility of putting SunSmart leaflets into salons.
	Representations were also made to the sunbed association to improve their procedures for inspection. The sunbed association is currently considering its position. Local authority officers who have powers of inspection are responsible for enforcing the legislation, which requires tanning outlets to supply accurate information to their customers.

Training Nurses (Barking, Havering and Redbridge)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many training nurses are working in the Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS trust.

John Hutton: Nurse training is carried out in higher education institutions, with clinical placements in national health service trusts. Information is not collected centrally by Department on the number of clinical placements.

Waiting Lists/Times

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients within the (a) East Leeds, (b) North East Leeds and (c) South Leeds Primary Care Trust have been waiting for nine months or more for an operation; and how many were waiting for nine months or more for an operation (i) one year ago and (ii) two years ago in each case.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The information is shown in the table.
	
		Number of patients waiting over nine months for in-patient treatment in primary care trusts (PCTs) in Leeds
		
			  East Leeds PCT Leeds North East PCT South Leeds PCT 
		
		
			 March 2004 0 1 1 
			 March 2003 249 178 203 
			 June 2002(30) 223 154 240 
		
	
	(30) earliest figure available.
	Source:
	Department of Health.

Waiting Lists/Times

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS waiting times for MRI scans in Coventry South.

Stephen Ladyman: Data on waiting times for diagnostic tests including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are not collected centrally. However data may be collected locally by some strategic health authorities.
	As recently announced by the Secretary of State, work is underway to eradicate waits for MRI scans through the national procurement of a mobile MRI service. This will deliver an approximate 10 per cent. increase in the capacity already available to the national health service. In practical terms, approximately 120,000 extra MRI scans will now be available to patients.

Wakefield West Primary Care Trust

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance he will offer to the Wakefield West Primary Care Trust to help with the recruitment of general practitioners in Normanton constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The West Yorkshire workforce development confederation and West Yorkshire primary care organisations developed the West Yorkshire primary care recruitment, retention and return forum in August 2003, chaired by an assistant director of Wakefield West Primary Care Trust (PCT).
	The strategy aims to ensure that the PCTs in West Yorkshire are able to recruit and retain a workforce which has the ability to meet the needs of patients within a primary care setting and so meet national service and workforce targets relevant to primary care.

Warrington Hospital

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) physiotherapists, (d) health care assistants and (e) scientists were employed at Warrington Hospital in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS), and national health service hospital and community health services: Non-medical staff, in each specified NHS trust by each specified staff group.As at 30 September each specified year -- headcount
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Warrington Hospital NHS Trust
			 HCHS doctors 171 187 194 202 (31)— (31)— (31)— 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 688 751 755 796 (31)— (31)— (31)— 
			 Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff 268 279 282 299 (31)— (31)— (31)— 
			 
			 of which
			 Qualified physiotherapy staff 29 34 37 37 (31)— (31)— (31)— 
			 NHS plan target group healthcare assistants 639 734 757 799 (31)— (31)— (31)— 
			 
			 North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust
			 HCHS doctors (31)— (31)— (31)— (31)— 275 292 296 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff (31)— (31)— (31)— (31)— 1,093 1,243 1,156 
			 Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff (31)— (31)— (31)— (31)— 502 475 354 
			 
			 of which
			 Qualified physiotherapy staff (31)— (31)— (31)— (31)— 74 80 75 
			 NHS plan target group healthcare assistants (31)— (31)— (31)— (31)— 1,021 957 1,013 
		
	
	(31) Not applicable.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

Women's Health

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what clinical guidelines are issued by the NHS for the treatment of (a) menorrhagia and (b) uterine fibroids;
	(2)  what information the NHS makes available to patients on alternatives to hysterectomy.

Melanie Johnson: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on endometrial ablation for menorrhagia on 28 April 2004.
	They have also issued guidelines on alternative surgical treatments for menorrhagia including balloon thermal endometrial ablation (August 2003), uterine artery embolisation for fibroids (August 2003), and free and fluid thermal endometrial ablation, March 2003.
	NICE are also developing a clinical guideline on hysterectomy as part of their eighth wave work programme.
	All NICE guidance is provided in formats written for patients, carers and the public. In addition, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists produces information for patients, developed from guidelines.

Women's Health

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much it costs the NHS to perform a (a) hydro thermo ablation, (b) microwave ablation, (c) balloon ablation and (d) uterine fibroid embolisation and (e) hysterectomy.

Melanie Johnson: The national average cost of undertaking these procedures as an elective in-patient by a national health service trust is (a) to (c) between £740 and £846, (d) £1,513, and (e) £2,318.
	Source:
	Reference Costs 2003—relates to financial year 2002–03.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Adoption Cases

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in how many cases in the area of (a) Cumbria county council, (b) Durham county council, (c) North Tyneside council, (d) South Tyneside council, (e) Northumberland county council, (f) Hartlepool council, (g) York city council, (h) Sunderland city council, (i) Gateshead borough council, (j) Darlington unitary authority, (k) Middlesbrough borough council, (l) Stockton council, (m) Newcastle city council, (n) North Yorkshire county council and (o) Redcar and Cleveland council a birth parent has been notified by the authority that they should consider taking legal advice about the position of their child who is in care or has been adopted in a case reviewed following the judgement in R. v. Cannings.

Margaret Hodge: Information about the advice given by local authorities to birth parents of children who are in the care of or who have been adopted in the specified local authority areas, is not held centrally. However, following my oral statement to the House of Commons on 23 February, I wrote to the Law Society, in order to ensure that the contents of my statement might, if considered helpful, be promulgated by the Law Society among its members.

Carers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what analysis he has undertaken into bullying linked to people being young carers.

Ivan Lewis: Data on bullying is not collected centrally and there is no reliable basis for an estimate of prevalence. We recognise however, that children from a variety of backgrounds may experience bullying and any instance of bullying is unacceptable. Our guidance pack 'Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence' and the anti-bullying charter and the anti-bullying website www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying offer detailed advice on preventing and addressing bullying. In November 2003 I launched our anti-bullying charter for schools, which schools are now signing. It is accompanied by a summary of effective practice to help schools review and enhance their anti-bullying policies. The charter was launched at the first of a series of regional conferences which we ran from November 2003 and to June 2004. These conferences have been an opportunity for schools and other partners to share good practice on this issue. Details of the conferences can be accessed online at www. teachernet.gov.uk/antibullying.
	The Princess Royal Trust for Carers advises young carers to get in touch with Childline and The Anti-Bullying Campaign (Bullying Online) if they are being bullied. Both of these anti-bullying organisations have played significant roles in the conferences mentioned above—Esther Rantzen of ChildLine has been a keynote speaker and Bullying Online has been an exhibitor at several of the conferences.

Carers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many young carer's assessments have been conducted in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many family assessments under the Children Act 1989 have been conducted in each year since the Act has been in force.

Margaret Hodge: The following table shows the only available figures (2002 and 2003). These figures include any assessments that were made in relation to young carers and their families. Specific information about the number of young carers' assessments is not collected centrally.
	
		Assessments(32) completed in the year ending 31 March—England
		
			  Number 
			  2002 2003 
		
		
			 Initial assessments 261,500 263,900 
			 Core assessments 56,100 55,700 
		
	
	(32) Figures for initial and core assessments include unborn children.
	Source:
	CPR3 return.

Child Care

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many childcare places have been (a) created and (b) lost in England in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 28 June 2004
	Since 1997, over one million new child care places have been created which, taking into account turnover, have added over 540,000 places to the stock of places available, helping nearly a million more children.
	The following table provides details of the number of child care places that have been created and closed in England for each year since 1997.
	
		Number of child care places created in England
		
			  Out of school places Full day care places Childminder places Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 — — — 7,455 
			 1998–99 — — — 66,210 
			 1999–2000 63,978 29,089 39,961 133,028 
			 2000–01 87,070 33,997 47,156 168,223 
			 2001–02 65,997 29,310 44,449 139,756 
			 2002–03 93,394 35,696 56,284 185,374 
			 2003–04 119,323 114,677 72,063 306,063 
		
	
	
		Number of child care places closed in England
		
			  Out of school places Full day care places Childminder places Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 — — — 1,491 
			 1998–99 — — — 13,242 
			 1999–2000 9,574 11,830 43,826 65,230 
			 2000–01 17,611 12,608 51,007 81,226 
			 2001–02 12,967 7,556 36,454 56,977 
			 2002–03 23,873 12,130 62,071 98,074 
			 2003–04 58,252 39,198 51,796 149,246 
		
	
	Note:
	Information prior to 1999, when Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships were established, is limited and based largely on data from the out of school child care initiative. These figures do not include places created or closed across the wider child care environment.

Children's Commissioner

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the proposed Children's Commissioner will have the right to take up individual cases of children.

Margaret Hodge: The Government proposal is that the Children's Commissioner may on his own initiative hold an inquiry into the case of an individual child for the purpose of investigation and making recommendations. This is subject to the following conditions:
	(a) the case must raise issues of public policy of relevance to other children;
	(b) the Commissioner must ensure that the inquiry would not duplicate work that is the function of another person;
	(c) the Commissioner must consult the Secretary of State;
	(d) the Commissioner must publish a report containing his recommendations and send a copy to the Secretary of State.
	The Secretary of State may also direct the Commissioner to hold an inquiry into the case of an individual child which in the Secretary of State's opinion raises issues of relevance to other children.

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of provisions in the Learning and Skills Act 2000 upon the freedom of private providers of the Connexions service to operate under a lead body model.

Margaret Hodge: The Learning and Skills Act 2000 does not define how the Connexions service should be delivered and it makes no provisions which have an effect on the freedom of private providers to operate under a lead body model.

Down's Syndrome

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what work has been undertaken by his Department to benefit children with Down's syndrome since the Green Paper Excellence for all Children—meeting special educational needs; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The SEN and Disability Act 2001 gave all pupils with SEN including those with Down's syndrome, the right to be educated in mainstream schools where that is what their parents want and it would not jeopardise the learning and safety of others. That Act also made it unlawful for educational providers to discriminate against those pupils with a disability by, treating them less favourably than non-disabled pupils on the grounds of their disability, without justification.
	Building on the existing statutory framework, the Governments Strategy for SEN—Removing barriers to achievement, launched February this year, sets out our vision for giving all children with SEN and disabilities, including those with Down's syndrome, the opportunity to succeed. This strategy builds on proposals for the reform of the children's services in "Every Child Matters". It sets a new agenda for improvement and action at a national and local level, in four key areas: early intervention; removing barriers to learning; raising expectations and achievement and delivering improvements in partnership. The Department has invited partners, including colleagues from the Down's Syndrome Association to collaborate on the planning, management and delivery of its Inclusion Development Programme being developed as part of removing barriers to achievement.

Down's Syndrome

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to improve the (a) availability and (b) competencies of speech and language therapists working with children with Down's syndrome.

Margaret Hodge: In the "NHS improvement Plan", published on 24 June, we reiterated our commitment to increase the numbers of frontline NHS staff. With the extra investment announced in the 2002 Budget, we expect the NHS to have net increases of at least 30,000 therapists and scientists, including speech and language therapists by 2008. The Children's NSF will develop new national standards for the NHS, social services and their interface with education. It will build on current Government programmes to develop an integrated approach to supporting children with SEN and disabilities, including those pupils with Down's syndrome, ensuring that care is designed around the needs of the individual child and their families.
	Within this overall framework, it is a matter for primary care trusts in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and services. They have the resources to commission services, and to identify the number of professional staff they need to deliver those services. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community including the provision of speech and language therapy.

Education Maintenance Allowance

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of young people who will receive education maintenance allowance in the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council region in (i) 2004/05, (ii) 2005/06 and (iii) 2006/07 who will be studying at a further education college.

Ivan Lewis: The Department estimates the number of 16 to 18-year-olds expected to receive education maintenance allowance in the Greater Manchester area as 21,700 in academic year 2004/05, 24,800 in 2005/06, and 25,800 in 2006/07. In much of the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council area many 17 and 18-year-olds will benefit in 2004/05 because they live in an EMA pilot LEA area. The estimated take up of EMA among 16-year-olds in the Greater Manchester area in 2004/05 is 12,550. This is 59 per cent. of the estimated population of 16-year-olds eligible for EMA on income grounds, and 35 per cent. of the total cohort. The proportion of 16-year-olds in full-time education who study at further education colleges or higher education colleges in the Greater Manchester LSC region is 41 per cent.

FE Colleges

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many further education colleges have failed inspections in each of the past 10 years.

Ivan Lewis: In the last three academic years the number of further education colleges judged to be inadequate by the inspectorates is shown as follows.
	2001/02: 15 colleges out of 105 inspected
	2002/03: 10 colleges out of 103 inspected
	2003/04: 9 colleges out of 68 inspections published so far
	Prior to April 2001, inspections were carried out under a different framework and colleges were given no overall grading. Of the 12 colleges judged inadequate in 2001/02 that are still in independent existence 10 are no longer judged to be inadequate and one remains to be re-inspected. Colleges inspected in 2002/03 and 2003/04 have yet to be subject to full re-inspection. (The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is required to intervene promptly when provision is judged unsatisfactory.)

Foreign Language Learning

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage students to study a foreign language.

Stephen Twigg: In December 2002, the Department for Education and Skills published a National Languages Strategy "Languages for All: Languages for Life—A Strategy for England". It lays out the Government's plans to increase the number of people of all ages with (foreign) language skills. The strategy's key objectives are: to deliver opportunities for all Key Stage 2 pupils to learn a foreign language by the end of the decade; to introduce a new voluntary recognition scheme to provide an alternative qualification for giving learners credit for their language skills; and, to increase the number of people studying languages in further and higher education and work-based learning. The implementation of the strategy is being steered by a National Director for Languages and supported by a dedicated investment rising to £10 million per year by 2005–06.
	By introducing language learning at an earlier age we believe that pupils will be more motivated and enthused at Key Stage 3 and will want to continue to build on their language skills at Key Stage 4 and beyond. By providing alternative language qualification routes we will provide more flexibility to offer learners a wider range of relevant language learning programmes.

Higher Education Bill

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research his Department has undertaken into the attitudes of (a) parents of schoolchildren and (b) schoolchildren towards university education since the publication of the Higher Education Bill.

Alan Johnson: As part of our regular stakeholder tracking study of parents, schools staff and LEAs, the last wave of which was run in March 2004, we posed questions on attitudes to higher education among parents of schoolchildren.
	The recently launched 'Next Steps' study, also known as the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England interviews both school pupils and their parents. Among the topics are questions to both pupils and parents on their views on a number of educational issues, including their expectations for the young people's futures, such as possible participation in HE. The core of Next Steps is a survey of more than 20,000 Year 9 pupils and their parents.
	Wave 1 of the study began in early April 2004, is currently in progress and will continue to September 2004. The current target date for making data available from Wave 1 of the study is June 2005.

Higher Education Regulation Review Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how the members of the Higher Education Regulation Review Group were chosen; and what the terms of reference of the Group will be;
	(2)  what relationship the Higher Education Regulation Review Group will have with the Better Regulation Review Group;
	(3)  what targets the Higher Education Regulation Review Group has been set;
	(4)  how often the Higher Education Regulation Review Group will meet;
	(5)  whether the Department is supporting the Higher Education Regulation Review Group with staff members;
	(6)  what the budget is for the Higher Education Regulation Review Group in 2004–05.

Alan Johnson: The Higher Education Regulation Review Group (HERRG) has been established to help improve the quality of regulation across the Higher Education sector; and ensure that regulatory demands are effectively assessed by those who impose them. Its creation was recommended by the Better Regulation Review Group (BRRG) which will disband in the autumn. It is chaired by Dame Patricia Hodgson and has 11 other members drawn from senior managers of Higher Education Institutions. These were appointed from those who applied to details circulated to Higher Education Institutions by UniversitiesUK, Standing Conference of Principals and other representative bodies. The HERRG will meet up to six times per year. It is supported by a Secretariat of DfES staff and has a budget of £35,000 per year. Terms of reference are available at Annex 1 of the "Government Response to the BRRG Interim Report" published on 17 June 2004 (http://www.dfes.gov.uk/hegateway/hereform/). The HERRG is meeting for the first time shortly to discuss its future work plan.

Looked-after Children

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of the policy to place looked-after children in family homes instead of children's homes since the policy was announced; what estimate he has made of the financial implications of the policy; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: One of the Government's objectives for children's social services is to ensure that all children are securely attached to carers capable of providing safe and effective care for the duration of their childhood 1 . Most children's needs are such that they will develop more positively in family settings rather than in residential care, although for a minority of children residential care will continue to offer the best solution. In most cases caring for children in a family setting will also cost less than residential care.
	The Government have a £113 million, three year programme called Choice Protects which is helping local authorities to improve the way they plan and commission all placements and services for looked after children. In order to assess the costs and effectiveness of different services for children in need the Department of Health has funded a research programme which has looked in depth at a number of questions including the consequences of different types of child care provision. Publication of these findings is planned for early 2005.
	1 Modernising Social Services, Department of Health, 1998.

Marriage and Relationship Support Grants

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the Marriage and Relationship Support Grant Programme provided in grants in each year between 1997 and 2004.

Margaret Hodge: The grants provided by the Marriage and Relationship Support Programme for the financial years since 1977 are as follows:
	1997–98—£3.4 million;
	1998–99—£3.0 million;
	1999–2000—£3.2 million.
	In line with Sir Graham Hart's recommendations in his report to the Lord Chancellor on Marriage Support Funding (published in November 1999), the allocation was increased as follows:
	2000–01—£4 million;
	2001–02—£4.5 million;
	2002–03 and 2003–04—£5 million.

Ministerial Air Travel

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list for each year since 1997 the number of miles flown by each Minister on official departmental business.

Stephen Twigg: The Department does not hold this information centrally. To provide this information could only be done at disproportionate cost.
	However, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the list are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information reaching back to 1995–6. Information for 2003–4 is currently being assembled and will be published shortly. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries in the House.

New Foundation Degrees

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  which institutions have been awarded grants for developing new foundation degrees; and how much each received;
	(2)  if he will list the new foundation degrees that are to be developed under the Higher Education Funding Council for England funding.

Alan Johnson: This information was published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in their Outcomes Circular April 2004/15 entitled 'Allocation of Development Funds and Additional Places' and is available on their website. In summary a total of £5.6 million has been awarded for development funding across 101 higher and further education institutions. Full-time equivalent places totalling 8,960 have been awarded; 5,211 for 2004/05 and 3,749 for 2005/06.

Nursery Places

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress he has made with the London borough of Croydon in meeting the statutory obligation to provide free nursery places for all three-year-olds.

Margaret Hodge: My officials have been working closely with local authority officers with a view to ensuring that the authority meets its statutory responsibilities. As a result of those discussions I can confirm that all three-year-olds in Croydon will benefit from the free entitlement to a part-time early education place.

Residential Bursaries (Low Income Earners)

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of funding previously earmarked for residential bursaries for low income earners to comply with the Care Standards Act 2000 is being diverted to the education maintenance allowance.

Ivan Lewis: None of the funding for residential bursaries, including that to comply with the Care Standards Act 2000, is being diverted to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Residential bursaries form part of Learner Support funding. This funding is targeted at those in greatest need. It is entirely separate and is available, along with EMAs, in respect of the assessed needs of individuals.

School Building

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 17 May 2004, Official Report, column 710W, on schools (capital investment), what mechanism will be used to scale back the bids for capital funding for Building Schools for the Future if the aggregate value of the outline business cases exceed the total funding available.

Ivan Lewis: Partnerships for Schools is working with the projects in wave 1 to ensure that their value does not exceed the funding available. Partnerships for Schools is considering the scope of each project case-by-case, and will take into account a number of factors, such as the overall budget, value for money, educational impact of the projects, and our area guidelines.

School Building

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) new schools, (b) replacement schools and (c) refurbished schools are to be provided in each of the Pathfinder and Wave One Building Schools for the Future projects.

Ivan Lewis: The projects in Wave One of Building Schools for the Future, including the pathfinders, are at various stages of developing their outline business cases. The authorities will not, therefore, have finalised how many new, replacement or refurbished schools each will provide, having regard to value for money.

Science Learning Centres

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many universities have been selected to be part of his Department's initiative with the Wellcome Trust to create a national network of science learning centres; and how much each university has received;
	(2)  how much funding the Wellcome Trust has contributed towards the initiative to create a national network of science learning centres.

Alan Johnson: The National Network of Science Learning Centres is a £51 million joint initiative developed by the Department of Education and Skills and the Wellcome Trust. The Department for Education and Skills is contributing £26 million funding for the nine regional centres and the Welcome Trust is providing up to £25 million to fund the National Centre.
	Management of 9 of the centres is led by a university or consortium of universities.
	Each regional centre will receive between £2.1 million and £3.2million, according to the size of the region, over a 5-year funding period. The National Centre will receive funding for up to 10 years.
	More information is available from the website www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk.

Secure Homes

Tony McWalter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supply of secure homes for children, with particular reference to the proposed closure of Stamford House Children's Secure Home; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: We have been working closely, both with the Youth Justice Board and the Association of Directors of Social Services, to consider the implications for secure children's homes of the results of the Youth Justice Board's re-tendering exercise. We have examined the extent to which these homes will be used by the Youth Justice Board over the next two to five years for the placement of children through the youth justice system.
	We understand that the Brunel unit and Stamford House have closed, and that a few others may close, on the basis that they will no longer be viable. That is why we have looked very closely at the demand for welfare placements to ensure that there are sufficient beds across the country for children who need to be placed in a secure children's home for welfare reasons.
	The information we have gathered on actual bed usage through the Secure Accommodation Network suggests that there should be sufficient capacity within the system.
	We have also carried out, jointly with the Association of Directors of Social Services, a survey of local authorities to gauge any hidden demand for welfare placements in secure children's homes. The response to this survey was disappointing, which may in itself demonstrate that unmet need is not a widespread concern to local authorities. Of the 22 responses received, only a small minority expressed concern about unmet need.

Special Educational Needs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are in place to regulate schools' admissions policy in relation to children with special educational needs.

Margaret Hodge: School admission policies must have regard to the School Admissions Code of Practice. The code makes clear that children with special educational needs (SEN), but without a statement, must be treated as fairly as other applicants. Where a child has a statement of SEN that names the school, the governors of the school are under a duty to admit the child. If, however, a school is named in a child's statement and the governors refuse to admit the child, the child's parents or the local education authority maintaining the child's statement can make a complaint to the Secretary of State.

Special Educational Needs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the proportion of appeals against admissions decisions which are made in relation to children with special educational needs.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 5 July 2004
	Admission appeals on behalf of children who have special educational needs (SEN) but do not have statements are considered in the same way as admission appeals on behalf of children who do not have SEN. In 2002/03, for all maintained primary and secondary schools, parents lodged 91,430 appeals against non-admission of their children. There is no separate assessment of the number of appeals made in relation to children with SEN.
	Parents of children who have statements of SEN can appeal to the SEN and Disability Tribunal about the school named in their child's statement. In 2002/03, there were:
	339 appeals solely against the school/type of school named in children's statements (11.2 per cent. of the total number of appeals);
	56 appeals against refusal to change the name of a school and five against failure to name a school; and
	774 appeals against the needs and provision, including the school or type of school specified in statements.

Special Educational Needs

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many secondary school pupils were identified as having special educational needs as a proportion of the total school population in each local education authority in the last period for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		Maintained secondary schools(33): Number of pupils with special educational needs (SEN), January 2004 (provisional) 2, by local education authority and Government Office Region in England
		
			  Maintained secondary 
			  Total pupils Pupils with statements Percentage(35) SEN pupils without statements Percentage(36) 
		
		
			 England 3,308,400 78,000 2.4 447,800 13.5 
			   
			 North East 179,200 4,200 2.3 24,500 13.7 
			 Darlington 6,400 100 1.8 800 12.5 
			 Durham 33,000 1,000 3.0 4,700 14.2 
			 Gateshead 12,000 200 1.7 1,300 10.8 
			 Hartlepool 6,700 100 1.5 1,200 17.9 
			 Middlesbrough 5,800 200 3.4 1,000 17.2 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 17,500 300 1.7 2,500 14.3 
			 North Tyneside 13,800 300 2.2 2,000 14.5 
			 Northumberland 30,600 800 2.6 3,000 9.8 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 10,300 200 1.9 2,000 19.4 
			 South Tyneside 10,300 200 1.9 1,000 9.7 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 12,900 300 2.3 1,400 10.9 
			 Sunderland 20,000 500 2.5 3,500 17.5 
			   
			 North West 472,700 11,500 2.4 59,800 12.7 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 9,600 200 2.1 1,800 18.8 
			 Blackpool 8,800 200 2.3 1,400 15.9 
			 Bolton 19,900 700 3.5 3,500 17.6 
			 Bury 12,000 400 3.3 1,500 12.5 
			 Cheshire 47,700 1,300 2.7 4,000 8.4 
			 Cumbria 35,300 700 2.0 3,900 11.0 
			 Halton 8,300 300 3.6 1,200 14.5 
			 Knowsley 10,200 200 2.0 2,000 19.6 
			 Lancashire 76,700 2,200 2.9 8,600 11.2 
			 Liverpool 33,500 500 1.5 6,000 17.9 
			 Manchester 23,700 500 2.1 3,600 15.2 
			 Oldham 16,800 200 1.2 1,600 9.5 
			 Rochdale 14,400 300 2.1 1,600 11.1 
			 Salford 12,700 200 1.6 1,900 15.0 
			 Sefton 21,200 400 1.9 3,000 14.2 
			 St. Helens 12,200 300 2.5 1,500 12.3 
			 Stockport 17,100 400 2.3 2,300 13.5 
			 Tameside 16,000 400 2.5 2,100 13.1 
			 Trafford 16,400 200 1.2 1,800 11.0 
			 Warrington 14,100 400 2.8 1,200 8.5 
			 Wigan 21,400 700 3.3 2,800 13.1 
			 Wirral 24,700 600 2.4 2,600 10.5 
			   
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 349,500 9,000 2.6 45,100 12.9 
			 Barnsley 13,700 300 2.2 2,100 15.3 
			 Bradford 34,700 900 2.6 5,800 16.7 
			 Calderdale 15,400 400 2.6 1,500 9.7 
			 Doncaster 21,900 700 3.2 2,300 10.5 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 23,500 500 2.1 2,500 10.6 
			 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 16,200 300 1.9 2,300 14.2 
			 Kirklees 26,800 900 3.4 3,300 12.3 
			 Leeds 48,100 1,400 2.9 5,200 10.8 
			 North East Lincolnshire 11,700 400 3.4 2,200 18.8 
			 North Lincolnshire 10,900 400 3.7 1,900 17.4 
			 North Yorkshire 41,600 900 2.2 3,900 9.4 
			 Rotherham 20,400 600 2.9 2,900 14.2 
			 Sheffield 31,600 500 1.6 5,400 17.1 
			 Wakefield 22,400 400 1.8 2,400 10.7 
			 York 10,500 200 1.9 1,500 14.3 
			   
			 East Midlands 297,300 7,000 2.4 38,900 13.1 
			 Derby 15,500 500 3.2 2,200 14.2 
			 Derbyshire 50,500 1,700 3.4 4,900 9.7 
			 Leicester 18,300 600 3.3 3,700 20.2 
			 Leicestershire 46,800 1,400 3.0 4,200 9.0 
			 Lincolnshire 47,400 1,200 2.5 5,900 12.4 
			 Northamptonshire 47,400 1,100 2.3 8,500 17.9 
			 Nottingham 13,900 100 0.7 2,700 19.4 
			 Nottinghamshire 55,100 200 0.4 6,700 12.2 
			 Rutland 2,400 100 4.2 200 8.3 
			   
			 West Midlands 380,400 9,900 2.6 50,800 13.4 
			 Birmingham 71,200 1,600 2.2 10,200 14.3 
			 Coventry 21,500 400 1.9 3,800 17.7 
			 Dudley 20,900 300 1.4 3,000 14.4 
			 Herefordshire 10,500 400 3.8 1,600 15.2 
			 Sandwell 20,000 500 2.5 3,200 16.0 
			 Shropshire 18,300 600 3.3 2,200 12.0 
			 Solihull 15,800 300 1.9 1,800 11.4 
			 Staffordshire 62,400 2,200 3.5 5,900 9.5 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 15,200 500 3.3 2,700 17.8 
			 Telford and Wrekin 10,600 500 4.7 1,400 13.2 
			 Walsall 21,500 500 2.3 2,600 12.1 
			 Warwickshire 34,200 900 2.6 5,100 14.9 
			 Wolverhampton 17,000 400 2.4 1,800 10.6 
			 Worcestershire 41,200 800 1.9 5,400 13.1 
			   
			 East of England 387,100 7,900 2.0 48,500 12.5 
			 Bedfordshire 37,800 900 2.4 5,100 13.5 
			 Cambridgeshire 32,700 1,000 3.1 3,700 11.3 
			 Essex 90,700 1,400 1.5 10,600 11.7 
			 Hertfordshire 79,300 900 1.1 8,900 11.2 
			 Luton 12,400 300 2.4 2,000 16.1 
			 Norfolk 46,200 1,200 2.6 6,700 14.5 
			 Peterborough 12,800 400 3.1 2,100 16.4 
			 Southend-on-Sea 12,200 200 1.6 1,400 11.5 
			 Suffolk 54,400 1,600 2.9 6,500 11.9 
			 Thurrock 8,600 200 2.3 1,500 17.4 
			   
			 London 420,200 10,600 2.5 68,800 16.4 
			 Inner London 126,100 3,700 2.9 24,900 19.7 
			 Camden 9,700 300 3.1 1,400 14.4 
			 City of London n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Hackney 7,400 200 2.7 1,600 21.6 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 7,200 200 2.8 1,300 18.1 
			 Haringey 11,300 300 2.7 2,800 24.8 
			 Islington 7,900 200 2.5 1,800 22.8 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 3,500 100 2.9 600 17.1 
			 Lambeth 7,800 200 2.6 1,800 23.1 
			 Lewisham 11,600 300 2.6 1,800 15.5 
			 Newham 18,100 600 3.3 3,300 18.2 
			 Southwark 10,000 300 3.0 2,800 28.0 
			 Tower Hamlets 12,900 500 3.9 1,800 14.0 
			 Wandsworth 10,300 300 2.9 2,400 23.3 
			 Westminster 8,400 200 2.4 1,500 17.9 
			   
			 Outer London 294,100 6,900 2.3 43,900 14.9 
			 Barking and Dagenham 12,100 300 2.5 1,900 15.7 
			 Barnet 21,200 500 2.4 3,100 14.6 
			 Bexley 18,000 400 2.2 2,500 13.9 
			 Brent 15,900 400 2.5 2,200 13.8 
			 Bromley 22,200 600 2.7 2,700 12.2 
			 Croydon 18,700 300 1.6 3,200 17.1 
			 Ealing 15,000 300 2.0 2,900 19.3 
			 Enfield 21,600 400 1.9 4,200 19.4 
			 Greenwich 14,400 500 3.5 3,200 22.2 
			 Harrow 9,100 300 3.3 1,900 20.9 
			 Havering 16,500 400 2.4 1,200 7.3 
			 Hillingdon 17,800 500 2.8 1,600 9.0 
			 Hounslow 16,700 500 3.0 2,900 17.4 
			 Kingston upon Thames 9,300 100 1.1 1,100 11.8 
			 Merton 8,600 300 3.5 1,400 16.3 
			 Redbridge 20,000 300 1.5 2,500 12.5 
			 Richmond upon Thames 7,400 300 4.1 900 12.2 
			 Sutton 15,700 300 1.9 1,400 8.9 
			 Waltham Forest 13,900 400 2.9 3,100 22.3 
			   
			 South East 511,800 10,500 2.1 74,800 14.6 
			 Bracknell Forest 6,100 100 1.6 700 11.5 
			 Brighton and Hove 12,400 200 1.6 1,800 14.5 
			 Buckinghamshire 34,600 600 1.7 3,500 10.1 
			 East Sussex 28,900 600 2.1 4,300 14.9 
			 Hampshire 72,700 800 1.1 10,800 14.9 
			 Isle of Wight 12,200 300 2.5 1,900 15.6 
			 Kent 98,100 2,300 2.3 16,800 17.1 
			 Medway 20,700 500 2.4 4,200 20.3 
			 Milton Keynes 12,900 300 2.3 1,800 14.0 
			 Oxfordshire 38,100 900 2.4 4,700 12.3 
			 Portsmouth 10,100 100 1.0 2,100 20.8 
			 Reading 6,200 200 3.2 600 9.7 
			 Slough 8,400 200 2.4 1,400 16.7 
			 Southampton 12,200 100 0.8 3,100 25.4 
			 Surrey 59,500 1,200 2.0 8,400 14.1 
			 West Berkshire 12,200 300 2.5 1,300 10.7 
			 West Sussex 45,000 1,200 2.7 5,000 11.1 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 10,500 300 2.9 1,200 11.4 
			 Wokingham 11,000 300 2.7 1,200 10.9 
			   
			 South West 310,200 7,300 2.4 36,400 11.7 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 12,400 300 2.4 1,000 8.1 
			 Bournemouth 10,000 100 1.0 1,400 14.0 
			 Bristol, City of 15,700 400 2.5 2,700 17.2 
			 Cornwall 33,100 1,400 4.2 4,600 13.9 
			 Devon 42,300 900 2.1 4,100 9.7 
			 Dorset 25,100 500 2.0 3,500 13.9 
			 Gloucestershire 40,300 1,000 2.5 5,200 12.9 
			 Isles of Scilly n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 North Somerset 3,200 100 3.1 500 15.6 
			 Plymouth 19,000 500 2.6 2,000 10.5 
			 Poole 8,600 100 1.2 1,200 14.0 
			 Somerset 33,400 500 1.5 3,200 9.6 
			 South Gloucestershire 17,000 400 2.4 2,000 11.8 
			 Swindon 11,600 200 1.7 1,400 12.1 
			 Torbay 9,200 200 2.2 1,000 10.9 
			 Wiltshire 29,200 600 2.1 2,800 9.6 
		
	
	n/a = Not applicable, no schools of this type.
	(33) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(34) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.
	(35) Number of pupils with statements of SEN expressed as a percentage of total number of pupils. Excludes dually registered pupils.
	(36) Number of SEN pupils without statement expressed as a percentage of total number of pupils. Excludes dually registered pupils.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Special Educational Needs

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on funding for special needs education in Coventry, South.

Margaret Hodge: Coventry Local Education Authority reported that its planned net spend on special educational needs provision in Coventry in 2003–04 was £22,373,000.
	We do not have a separate breakdown for the planned expenditure in Coventry, South.

Sure Start

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Northampton, North have received services from a Surestart centre.

Margaret Hodge: The Sure Start local programme that covers Northampton, North is Camrose, located on the Spencer Estate in Northampton.
	The programme has a register of 685 children who access its services. In March 2004 155 (23 per cent.) children under four years living in the catchment area had accessed services. The annual average of children seen is 19 per cent.

Youth Service

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his assessment is of the contribution of the Youth Service to reducing anti-social behaviour in local neighbourhoods; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The document "Transforming Youth Service: Resourcing Excellent Youth Services" (2002) outlines our vision for the Youth Service and the unique contribution it should make to the personal and social development of young people. This includes working with young people to help prevent them becoming engaged in anti-social behaviour, and working with those who are already engaged in it. Youth Services work closely with the police and YOTs to do this.
	Youth Services are run by local authorities and we do not collect statistics centrally about Youth Service activity in this area. However research findings from a range of sources illustrate the impact the service is having. The majority of Youth Service plans show that Youth Services have existing partnerships with the police or Young Offending Partnerships. These include targeting groups of young people reported to be engaged in anti-social behaviour. Partnership working with police and youth offending agencies will be one of the aspects covered in an evaluation study on the Youth Service due to be published later this year.

Universities League Table

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he will compile the league table of universities based on student satisfaction survey; and what questions will be asked in the survey.

Alan Johnson: The information collected from the National Student Survey will not be used by me, or my Department, to formulate any sort of league table of institutions. The survey is being developed so that students can obtain information about Higher Education provision, based on the experience of other students, to help inform their choice about what and where to study. The specific questions on the survey have not yet been finalised. However, the broad categories are expected to be similar to those used in the 2003 pilot survey, covering teaching, assessment and feedback, personal development, course organisation and management, academic support, and learning resources.